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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Th« 
toi 


Tha  inttituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  avaiiabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibilographlcally  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  aigniflcantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chacicad  balow. 


n 


D 


n 


n 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I   Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covars  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaurAa  at/ou  palliculAa 

Covar  title  missing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


r~|   Colourad  maps/ 


Cartas  gAographiquas  en  coulaur 

Coloured  inic  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  blacic)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (I.e.  autre  qua  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avac  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  Interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  la  long  de  la  marge  IntArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  la  texte. 
mals.  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6tA  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  la  mailleur  exemplaira 
qu'll  lui  a  it*  poaaibia  da  aa  procurer.  Lea  ditaila 
da  cet  exempla[ii4  qui  aont  paut-ttre  uniquaa  du 
point  da  vua  bibilographiqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exigar  una 
modification  dana  la  mithoda  normala  de  fllmaga 
aont  Indiquia  ci-daaaoua. 


D 
D 
D 

n 

0 
D 
D 
D 
0 


Colourad  pagea/ 
Pagea  da  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagiaa 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restauriaa  et/ou  pelliculiea 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolorfss,  tachatiea  ou  piquAes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit*  inigaia  de  I'impresslon 

Includes  supplementary  materiel/ 
Comprend  du  material  supplimantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponibia 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pages  totalement  ou  partieilement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  it*  filmies  *  nouveau  de  fapon  * 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Th« 
poa 
oft 
filn 


Ori 

be( 

the 

slot 

oth 

firsi 

sior 

ori 


The 
she 
TIN 
whi 

IMa( 
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begl 
righ 
reqi 
met 


This  Item  Is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checiced  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filma  au  taux  de  reduction  indlqu6  cl-descous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

aox 

y 

3 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  filmt  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnArosit*  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  Images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
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filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  Images  suivantes  ont  6t4  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soln.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetA  de  Texemplaire  f  ilmt,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  In  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  Impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  Imprim6e  sont  filmte  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  termlnant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustratlon,  soit  par  le  second 
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premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustratlon  et  en  termlnant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  Image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signlfle  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signlfle  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  railos.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  d'lgrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  dIffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cllchA,  11  est  fllmA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


'     i 

1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

§ 

i      5  ■ 

6 

MAJOR-GENERAL   NELSON   A.    MILES. 


*lflf* 


^W^-'^    M^    X    .,^f    M 


M 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS 


AND  OBSERVATIONS  OF 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES 


EMBRACING  A  BRIEl-  VIEW  OF  THE  CIVIL  WAR 

OR 

FROM  NEW  ENGLAND  TO  THE  GOLDEN  GATE 


AND  THE  STORY  OF  HIS  INDIAN  CAMPAIGNS 
WITH  COMMENTS  ON  THE 


EXPLORATION,  DEVELOPMENT  AND  PROGRESS 


OF 


Our  Great  Western  Empire 


Copiously  illustrated  With  graphic  pictures  by 
FREDERIC     REMINGTON 

AND  OTHER  EMINENT  ARTISTS 


TWE  WERNER  COMPANY 
CHICAGO     NEW  YORK 

1897 


I 


Copyright  1896 
By  NELSON  A.  MILES 


PREFACE 


«»i»i» 


T 


HIS  nOOK  is  l;i  !•<;(' ly  tlw  i<'siilt  olji  dcsirp  tocomply  witli  riio  wishoa 
of  Irioiids  who  Inivc  cxpn'ssrd  tlic  ()|iiiiioii  that  such  a  work  woiihl 
liiid  a  ;j:u()(lly  iiiiiiihi>i'  ot'  iiilcrcstcd  leaders.  It  was  ii<»  part  of  my 
purpose  to  write  my  memoirs  or  a  history;  hut  rather  t«)  ret  j'ace. 
with  such  I'eaders  as  shall  choose  to  accompany  me.  some  poit  ions  of  the 
journey  of  life  that  now  lie  in  the  past. 

It  is  impossilde  in  a  sin^Me  volnme  to  do  pistice  to  all  my  compannms 
who  wei-(»  en^'a;,MMl  in  the  ^M-eat  canse  (d"  the  Civil  War,  or  those  who 
en<,'a;^'ed  in  the  war  for  civilization  alon^^  onr  western  frontier;  yet  it  has 
heen  my  endeav(n'  to  do  injnstice  to  none. 

I  iiavo  hy  no  means  exhausted  the  important  features  that  marked  the 
ori;j,inal  journey,  hut  have  aimed  to  point  out  hrielly.  as  far  as  practicahle. 
the  more  interest  in;^' and  instruct  ive  events  .so  that  the  time  (d"  the  reader 
may  hesi)ent  not  only  a;^Meeal»l>.  hut  with  sonu'  dej^'ree  cd'  pr(dit. 

In  present  in^i;  these  tliouf^dits  and  ohservat  ions  I  have  hoped  to  nu>et  the 
favor  of  tiio  int(dli}.,'ent.  ^'enerons  Am(>rican.  whom  I  know  to  he  nM)st con- 
siderate, and  I  trust  I  may  rely  upon  his  liheial  consideration,  especially 
Avhen  it  is  iPmoniitered  that  I  have  heen  ohlij^ed  to  ^Mther  and  prepan? 
much  of  the  material  at  s|>are  hours  during'  the  time  la rj^cdy  taken  up  with 
the  cares  of  exa('tin<j:  ollicial  duties  and  responsihilit  ies.  In  this  I  Iiave 
had  tlu»  earnest  assistance  of  Mr.  N.  1*1.  Dausoi!.  an<l  lor  his  faithful  and 
zealous  lahor  I  desire  to  express  my  ap|)reciation. 

If  this  narrative  shall  inspire  thon<xht  (u-  ju'omote  a  tast(»  for  further 
research  and  study  aloni;  the  divei'silied  lines  of  dev(dopnMMit  in  onr  f^reat 
and  }j;rowin^' country,  my  ettorts  will  not  have  heen  in  vain.  I  have  also 
endeavored  to  illnstrate  the  dilliculties  and  dan«,'ers  to  which  my  compan- 
ions in  arms  were  exposed,  in  ordei-  that,  if  possihie.  their  .services  and 
achievements  mij.;ht   he  moi'e  fully  apjireciated   hy  the  heneticiaries  who 


ai 


e  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their  heroism  and  sa*  rilice: 


Nelson  A.  Miles. 


ITi:.\iiiit'AUTi;i;s  ov  tiik  Ak'My.  Wiisliiiiiffoii.  I).  (' 


Feb 


rua 


••}■ 


J.  i.S'JC). 


( V  i  i ) 


!  In  i 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


Majou-Genkral  Nelson  A.  Miles  .  .... 

Miles  Stan  dish         ....... 

Daniel  Miles       ........ 

E.M'EDITION    OF    PiLGKIM    FaTIIEHS    A(.A1NST    THE    InDIAXS 

Cai'itol  Building,  Boston,  Mass.  .... 

Ahkaiiam  Lincoln         ....... 

Lieutenant  Miles   ....... 

GovERNOU  E.  D.  Morgan     ...... 

General  Geo.  G.  Meade  ..... 

Ma.ior-General  Francis  S.  Barlow      .... 

General  Winfield  S.  Hancock 

Union  Soldiers  Gamhlin(j  with  Confkdekatk  Money 

Village  of  Aitomattox  ..... 

Ai'PROAcn  of  General  Lee  Under  Flag  of  Trk  e 
Battle  of  Spottsylvania  ..... 

Meriwether  Lewis       ....... 

Wm.  Clark      ........ 

General  Pike      ........ 

Kit  Carson      ........ 

Pike's  Peak  as  Pike  Saw  It        ....  . 

Sitting  Bull  ....... 

Plan  of  Mounds  at  Marietta.  Ohio     .... 

Killing  thk  ^Lvmmoth     ...... 

Skull,  Image  Vases,  and  Cits  of  the  Mound-Bum. dkk 

Curs   AND   .LVRS  ....... 

Coim'er  Tools  and  Weapons  ^Lvde  uy  the  MttuND- Builders 
Pri.\iitive  Man  ...... 

Siou.x  Warriors  ...... 

Fire-ALvking  ry  the  Pre-Historic  ^LvN  . 


Page 

• 

Front 

f'upiece 
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20 

, 

• 

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5(J 
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• 

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05 

.   08 

•         » 

*                    * 

09 

.   72 

74 

)ERS 

• 

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79 

•             • 

, 

84 

(1) 


J 


i^ 


8 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF  GEN.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


An  Aged  Indian  Chief        ...... 

Pocahontas  BiuNfiiNo  Corn  to  the  Colonists 

Indian  Councii-   ..,....., 

Indian  Bonnet,  Pipes,  etc.       ...... 

Indian  Dances  and  Self  Toktuke        .... 

Tecumseii  ......... 

Soldiers  Opening  Their  Own  Veins  for  Want  of  Water 
Black  Hawk  ........ 

Moses  Keokuk     ...... 

Creasing  the  Wild  House 

Indians  Killing  Bikfaloes  in  Summer 

Hunting  Buffaloes  in  Winter 

Captain  Baldwin  Chased  hy  Wolves 

Lean  Bear  Rousing  the  Indians 

General  G.  M.  Dodge  .... 

Fate  of  the  Michigan  Soldiers 

Soldiers  Discover  Gold  in  the  Black  Hills 

Colonel  George  A.  Forsyth    . 

The  Scouts  and  the  Rattlesnake 

Captain  .Jack  ..... 

In  the  Lava  Beds        .... 

Indian  Mode  of  Burial 

What  Became  of  the  Buffaloes 

Indian  Village  Routed 

After  the  Siege  .... 

Locust  Scourge        ..... 

Ben  Clark  ..... 

Wm.  F.  Schmalsle,  Scout 

The  Victory  of  the  Privates 

The  Germaixe  Sisters     .... 

Twenty-five  to  One   .... 

Captain  R.  H.  Pratt       .... 

Indians  on  the  Lookout 

Indian  Caps,  Tomacco  Pouches,  etc. 

"That's  Peetri  faction  " 

General  Miles'  Envoy  to  the  Hostiles  on 

Red  Cloud,  Sioux  Chief 

Sitting  Bull  axd  the  Red  Shirt    . 

Spotted  Tail,  Sioux  Chief 


THE 


Staked  Pl 


AIN 


Page 
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W. 


!  I 


till 


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.   93 
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.   90 
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,  105 
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ILLUSTRATIOXS. 

General  George  A.  Cistek  .... 
General  Terry's  Last  Order  to  Cister 
The  CrsTER  Battlefield  Two  Years  After 
Kaix-in-tue-Fac'e    .... 

StENE   ON    THE    StEAMUOAT 

Captain  Anson  Mills 

"Yellowstone"  Kelley 

Marching  in  Winter 

Mketing  Between   the   Lines,      "Gon  Almi(;htv  >L\I)E  Me 

Not  an  A(iENC'Y  Indian" 
Chief  Gall      ...... 

Montana  Blizzard       .... 

Captain  Baldwin  Hunting  the  Hostile  Camp 
"You  Have  Had  Your  Last  Breakfast" 
John  Brughier,  Scout     .... 

Surrender  of  Little  Chief 

White  Bull  and  Horse  Road 

Indians  Firing  the  Prairie 

L\ME  Deer  Firing  at  General  Miles     . 

The  Crazy  Horse  Fight 

Chief  Joseph  ..... 

"You  Will  Now  Have  to  Go  to  War" 
Calling  Back  the  Steamboat 
Pursuing  the  Indians 
Captain  Hale  ..... 

After  the  Battle       .... 

"  Those  Indians  Are  Bad  "      . 

The  Lame  Deer  Fight 

Indian  Gala  Day    ...... 

CuRLEY,  Sole  Survivor  of  Custer's  Last  Battle 
Custer's  Last  Stand        ..... 

Mounting  the  Infantry  on  Captured  Ponie.s 

Indians  Watching  the  Enemy's  Camp 

Captain  Bennett  ...... 

The  Mountain  Buffalo  .... 

Yelloavstone  Falls    .  ...... 

"Old  Faithful"  Geyser  in  Winter,  Yellowstone  Park 
"Bee  Hive"  Crystallized  Geyser.  Yellowstone  Park 
"Giant"  Geyser,  Yellowstone  Park       .... 


AN 


•  • 


I 


NDIAN,    ANI 


8 

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I 


* 


4  PERGONAL  RECOLLECTIOSH  OF  GEN.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 

Page 

Fighting  Oveu  the  Captuued  Heud    ........  307 

Ckow  Foot,  Son  of  Shting  Bill             .......  310 

Indian  Raiding  Pakty          ..........  313 

"1  Make  You  a  Present"       .........  315 

The  "Whisi'eking  Spirit"            .........  317 

Marching  on  the  Staked  Plain      ........  3!23 

Scene  in  the  Yellowstone  Valley     ........  324 

"Castle"  Geyser,  Yellowstone  Park     .......  328 

Surrender  of  Chief  Joseph.     "From  Where  the  Sun  Now  Stands,  I  Fight 

NO  More  Against  the  White  Man  "           ......  331 

Indian  Medicine  Man           ..........  334 

Chiricahua  Apache  Students,  1894.          .......  343 

Faces  of  Noted  Indians      ..........  349 

An  Early  Finding  in  Colorado       ........  350 

Placer  Minlng  in   1858         ..........  358 

Brkuiam  Young       ...........  303 

The  Mormon  Exodus            ..........  304 

Mormon  Temple       ...........  308 

Distant  View  of  Salt  Lake  City        .......  309 

Scene  on  the  Columhia  River         ........  372 

Mount  Hood         ............  373 

Cascades  of  the  Columhia.     Indian  Dipping  for  Salmon          .          .          .  377 

Shoshone  Falls,  Idaho         ..........  382 

Dr.  Marcus  Whitman      ..........  385 

Mrs.  Narcissa  Prentice  Whitman        ........  380 

The  Old   Wago.v 387 

Whitman   Pleading    for  Oregon   Before   Daniel  Webster  and   President 

Taylor 388 

CiiiKicHUA    Apaches    as    They    Arrived    at    Carlisle    from    Fort    Marion, 

Florida,  November  4,  1885.     The  Same  Children  Four  Months  After 

Arriving  at  Carlisle    ..........  393 

The  Skjn  Language 398 

Dizzy  Heights     ............  401 

Watching  the  Coming  of  the  White  Man      ......  405 

Captain  Baldwin          ...........  400 

Cherubs.  Indian  Babies  in  Their  Cradles       ......  408 

Indian  Weapons           ...........  410 

Generals  Crook  and  Terry    .........  413 

Alaskan  Totem  (1)       ..........         .  420 


ES. 


I  Fight 


jksijjkxt 

IMauion, 
After 


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3'^4 
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ILLVSTRATIOXS. 

Gkol'P  of  Eskimo  Girls       ..... 

Native  Kayaks  ....... 

Seal  -Rookery"'  ...... 

Alaskan  Totem  (2). 

Arizona   Vegetation   (Giant  Cactis)  ..... 

Cliff  DwellinciS  on  Beaver  Creek,  Arizona,  Three  Miles  from 

Sometimes  Called  Montezima's  Palace 
Oldest  House  in  the  United  States,  Santa  Fe,  New  Mexico 
Petrified  Poorest,  Arizona       ...... 

The  Fainted  Desert  ...... 

A  CvNON  A  Mile  Deep     ...... 

SiiiNi-Mo  Altar  from  Brink  of  Marule  Canon    . 
Atache  Cruelty       ....... 

Claimin(}  His  Reward  ...... 

His  Actions  Were  Curious      ..... 

Captain  Maus       ........ 

Crossing  the  Haros  River       ..... 

One  Indian  Attempted  to  Ride  hy  Me 

Geronimo  ........ 

Our   Indians  Were  Yellincj  and  Preparing  to  Fight 
The  Death  of  Captain  Crawford   .... 

Apaches  Watching  the  Troops  with  Glasses 
Apaches  in  Ambush  ..... 

Fort  Bowie,  Arizona  .... 

Heliograph   Station  ..... 

Heliograph    System,  Department  of  Arizona 
Mountain  Fastness  —  Cochise's  Stronghold    . 
Drunken  Indians  in  Camp  .... 

On  the  Way-  to  Florida  .... 

General  Miles  at  Telegraph  Office 
Captain  Leonard  Wood  ..... 

FiNDiNci  the  Murdered  Mexicans 

'•You  Are  the  Man  I  Want  to  Talk  With" 

Lawton's  Pursuit  of  Geronimo    . 

Explaining  the  Situation         .... 

VicTORio,  Apache  Chief        .... 

Geronimo  and  the  Heliograph 
Apache  Waiting  for  a  Victim 
Apache  Bridk  ...... 


Fort 


EDI, 


5 

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529 


'■' 


li  I 


•J  '' 

1 


6 


PERSONAL  RECOLLEVTIOSS  OF  (lES.  XELSOX  A.  MI  LEU. 


LiTTi.K  MiKK,  Indian  Boy  Rkakkh  hv  Wiiitk  Pkoi'le 
Okfickkh  Who  Wkkk  EN(JA(iKi>  in  tiik  Captikk  of  Gkronimo  a 
Akizona     ......... 

Indian  Wkatons  and  Gakments  .... 

San  (^ahi.os  Mii.itaky  Camp      ...... 

ToNTO  Wakkiou   ........ 

Motii'i  Indian  Giul  ....... 

MOJAVK    KfNNEUS  ....... 

Aktksian  Wklls      ........ 

SWKKT WATER    Da.M  ...  ... 

Redwood  Pu-k,  San  Beknaudino  County,  Cai.ikoknia 
Fm'.me  Brii.i)iN(j.     Springing  in  the  Bottom   Plank     . 
Ti'NNEi.  Portai,,  San  Diego  Fm'.me  .... 

Plains  Travel  Before  the  Railroads  Came 

The  Old  and  the  New  Way  ..... 

At  the  Hindredth  Meridian       ..... 

Poutuaits  of  Ma.jok  Simon  Snyder,  Ad.tutant  G.  W.  Baird.  Lieu 
Capt.  Lawton        ....... 

Mount  Shasta  ........ 

Glacier  Point,  Yoskmite  Valley         .... 

Leland  Stanford    ........ 

Leland  Stanford  University.  Palo  Alto,  California 
Irrkjating  Ditches.     Orange  Grove         .... 

Orange  Grovk  Near  Los  Angeles       .... 

Market  Street,  San  Francisco        ..... 

A  Scene  In  Southern  California  .... 

Golden  Gate,  San  Francisco  ..... 


Page 

. 

529 

t  Fort  Bowie. 

. 

530 

531 

. 

533 

534 

.    . 

535 

537 

• 

540 

54«.) 

.    .    . 

551 

554 

.    .    . 

550 

500 

.    . 

501 

505 

LT.  Allen,  and 

509 

• 

570 

577 

.    .    . 

578 

579 

. 

581 

583 

.    . 

580 

589 

591 

■■  1 


I 


llu_. 


'iM-  Bowie. 


Page 
529 

530 

531 

533 

534 

535 

537 

540 

54W 

551 

554 

55f) 

500 

501 

505 


509 
576 

577 

578 
579 
581 
583 
580 
589 
5{'i 


Table  of  Contents 


CHAPTER    I. 

I\    NEW    KN'(il.A.\I>    KIFTV    YKAKS    A<iO. 

Purpose  of  This  Book  —  Tlie  Sciitiment  of  (loimtry  I'nivfrsiil  —  A  Dcmoorncy  Nntural 
in  Aiiicrica  —  The  Ciiangt' from  Primitive  Life  to  tiic  Present,  and  tiie  Men 
Who  Made  it  —  Early  New  Eiifthind  Colonists  —  Intliienee  of  Climate  —  Mas- 
sacluisetts  —  Tlie  InHiienee  of  New  England  Ideas  in  Our  History  —  The 
Indian  in  New  England — liife  There  Fifty  Years  Ayo  —  Tiie  Author's  Youth 
and  Ancestry  —  Stories  and  Tiieir  Effeet  Upon  Inoliinition  —  Before  the 
War — Earliest  Military  Training 

CHAPTER    II. 

THE    GUEAT    CIVII.    WAU. 

The  Questions  at  Issue  —  Eleotion  of  Abraham  IJncoln  —  (reneral  Srott  —  Observations 
Uelating  to  the  War  —  IJaisin^j  a  Comi)any  for  the  Union  Service  —  Elected 
and  Commissioned  Captain — Takes  the  Field  as  First  Ijieutenant  —  Detailed 
to  Staff  Duty  —  Various  Pnmiotions  —  The  Second  Army  Corjjs  —  The  (irand 
Kecoi-d  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac 

CHAPTER    III. 

LAST    S(!ENKS    OF    THE    OKEAT    WAR. 

Battle  of  Nashville  —  Marching  Through  Georgia  —  Five  Forks  —  Storming  the  Works 
at  Petersburg  —  Fall  of  Richmond  —  Scenes  in  C'amp  —  Corresjiondence  Be- 
tween the  Two  Commanders  —  A])i)omattox  —  .Toy  of  the  Soldiers — Death  of 
the  President  —  What  We  W<m  and  Conse(|uences  of  Failure  —  The  Army 
Disbanded  —  Author's  Appointment  as  Colonel  and  Brevet  Major-( reneral 
United  States  Army 

CHAPTER    IV. 

OUR    ACyllUEI)    TEHRITOUY. 

Colonization  —  Results  of  the  French  and  Indian  War  —  The  Louisiana  Purchase  — 
Acquisition  of  Territory  from  Mexico  —  Exjjlorations  of  Lewis  and  Clark  — 
Fremimt's  Explorations  —  Sm-veys  for  Trans-continental  Railways  —  Results 
of  the  War  in  its  Effect  on  the  Develojmient  of  the  West  —  Construction  of 
the  Trans-continental  Railway  —  Rapid  Settlement  of  the  West  —  Pitts- 
burg—  Chicago  —  St.  Louis  —  Eads  —  Fort  Leavenworth  —  Emigrant  Trains  — 
Hunting   Expedition  —  The   Doniphan    Expedition 


PAriES 


17-24 


L'5-35 


36--5I 


52-63 


(7) 


I'l 


8 


/•/v'A'.so.V.IA  liEi  ol.l.ECTK^SS  nF  <iKS.  MH.snS  A.  .V//J;.S. 


CHAITKIJ   V. 


IMJKIIISIOKir    AMKUM'ANS. 

Origin  of  till-  IximI  Mnii  Unknown —  The  "  Now  "  World —  The  Tribes  Tliat  WtT»>  Bt-forp 
llic  Iiidiiin  —  rnlcolitliic  Man  in  Anicrica — Tlic  (ilacial  Kpoch  —  The  Cala- 
veras Skull — The  ralcoliiliic  Man  of  Kiiropc — Tlif  Three  Kinds  of  Ancient 
Americans  —  The  Mound-Hiiilders  —  The  Day  of  llie  Manunoih  —  I'rohlenis 
not  yet  Solved — The  Mounds,  and  What  They  Indicate — Professor  Putin.m's 
Pescription  of  Moun«l-l<uilders  of  Ohio  Valley  —  Kvidences  of  a  Siiccession 
of  l{aces —  Wenniins  in  Wisconsin  —  Use  of  ('opper  —  How  tlie  Mound-|{uildi>r 
Tiived  —  His  Nunihers  —  One  Singular  Hemaininn  Tribe — Seats  of  His 
Mi>;ralion  —  No  Traditions  of  Coming  or  C'on(|uest — The  Destiny  of  tlie 
Tribes  in  Mmlern  Times — Professor  I'utman's  Views 


I'AliKS 


64-86 


I'll 


CHAITKK   VI. 


INDIAN    CIIAUArTKU. 


II 


Indian  Character — Indian  Studies  (tf  (tcorpe  Cntlin,  Uarkman.  Schoolcraft  and 
Others  —  The  Ori^imil  North  American  Indian  (Jentle.  Hospitable  and 
Kindly  Disposed  Toward  the  Newcomers  —  Causes  of  the  (Mianjje  in  Indian 
Clharacter — Kn^lisli.  French,  (ierman,  and  Spanish  (lolonization  Schemes  — 
Indian  \\'ars — Benjamin  Franklin  on  the  Indian  —  Maniuotte's  Reception 
Beyoiul  the  Mississipi)i— llalleck's  Stanzas  on  Ked  Jacket 87-102 

CHAPTEH  VII. 

INDIAN    LAW.   HKI.KtION    AM)    KI,0(JliEN<'E. 

Systems  of  Govermiient  —  Doiuestic  Affairs  —  Uelij^ious  Beliefs  and  Observances  —  Not 
Originally  Nomads  —  Tecumseh  —  In  Council  with  (teneral  Harrison  —  Te- 
cumseh's  Character  and  Death  —  The  Black  Hawk  War  —  Surrender  of  Black 
Hawk  —  His  Eloquence  —  Taken  to  Washington  —  Presented  to  tlie  Presi- 
dent—  Tour  Throujili  the  North  —  Keturn  to  Iowa  and  Meeting  with 
Keokuk  — Death  of  Black  Hawk 103-120 

CHAPTER  VIIT. 

GAMK    IN    TIIK    (iKKAT    WKST. 

The  Wild  Horse  — :Meth(Hls  of  Taking  the  Wild  Horse  — The  Buffalo— The  Chase- 
Captain  Baldwin's  Adventures  —  The  Surround — The  Antelope  —  The 
Wolf  —  Small  (ianie  —  Buffalo  Bill  —  Deer  —  Big  Horn  —  Wolf  Hiuiting  in 
the    Indian   Territory  —  Bear   Hunting  —  Game  of  tlie   Northwest.     .     .     .       121-135 

CHAPTER  IX. 

TUli    INDIAN    DfRING    THE    CIVIL    W AH 

Indian  Uprising  in  Minnesota  —  Causes  Leading  Thereto  —  Governor  Ramsey's  Indian 
Council  —  Ked  Iron  —  Lean  Bear  —  The  Chivington  Massacre  —  General 
Dodge's  Indian  Caniiiaigns  —  The  Bent  Boys  —  Major  North  —  Discovery  of 
Gold  in  tlie  Black  Hills  —  The  Peace  Commission  —  General  Connor  —  Battle 
of  the  Tongue  Kiver  —  Fetternian  Massacre 136-144 


i! 


I 


TMii.i:  or  ro\Ti:srs. 


riFAITKK    X. 


0 


'AliKH 


St>MK    IIIS'l'«tlEI<'    CAMPAKiNS. 

(i»'iH»rnl  UniiciH'k's  Kxpt'dititiii  —  (tfiirral  Curr's  ('iimpaijjiis  —  ('(iloi.'l  Korsjtli's  Dfs- 
pcralt'  KiKl't  I'li  lln'  Arickart'c — limiiaii  Nusc — l>ariiiK  Di'cds  uf  Stillwcll 
and  Trudcaii  —  CiisltT  Strikes  IJIack  Kt'lllc's  Villaitf —  Ufalli  uf  Major 
Klliult — Till-  riains — K(irt  Hays — Ihiiitiiiu — l'"nrl  llarkt-r — Fori  Lt'avcii- 
wnrtli  —  The  MimIuc  War — Dcalli  of  (Ji'iu-ral  ("aiihy  —  (Iciii-ral  Slifrman's 
TrilMitf    to  inanity .  *  .  .      . 


145-155 


64-88 


CIIAITKU     XI. 


CAMI'AKiNS    IN     IKXAS. 


Caust'S  of  Iiulinn  IVprcdations  —  (!oiislriiclioii  of  llif  'rrans-coiitificiilal  liaihvayw  — 
Dcslructii.ii  of  till'  IliilTalo — Pisasli'r  to  llu-  ( ii'miaiiio  hainily  —  Attack  on 
Adolu'  Walls  —  Or^'aiii/.iiiK  an  Kx|i('dilioiiary  Force  Apiiiist  the  Hosfilcs  — 
Uiifortimatc  Conililioti  of  Western  Kansas — |)rontli  —  liociists  —  Marcli 
IJndera  Hiirin'nn  Sun  Into  the  Country  of  tlie  Ijostiles — l)escri|>tion  of  tlu' 
(loiinlry  —  (iypsnin  lielt — On  tlie  hulian  Trail — The  Indians  at  Hay  —  An 
Exciting  KnKaK'''nenl — A  Mot  I'nrsiiit — Apostrophe  to  the  Ued  Uiver  —  A 
Norther    and    a   Deliij,"' 


156-171 


87-102 


c'nArTp:R  xii. 


KIOWAS    AM)    <MMAN«IIKS. 


^lie 
in 


103-120 


121-135 


The  Kiowns  and  Comanches  on  tlie  War  I'atli  —  Attack  on  the  Supply  Train  —  Scout 
Schnuilsle  —  Train  Relieved  —  (iallanl  Defense  of  Serjeant  Woinlhall  and 
Party  —  Cnptain  Maldwin's  Fij^ht  oi\  the  McClellan  ('r-ek  —  Uescue  of  .lulia 
and  Adelaide  (ierinaine — A  Midwinter  Campaign — Uescue  of  the  Two  Ke- 
nniininfi  (lernuiine  Sisters  and  Submission  of  the  Last  of  the  llostiles  — 
Origin  of  the  ('arlisle  Indian  School  —  iiesults  of  the  Subjugation  of  the 
youtheru  Tribes  —  Opinion  of  (Seneral  Sheridan  on  the  Campaign.  172-181 

CHAPTER   XII  I. 

IN'DIAX    DIKFK'll/riKS    IN    NKW    MEXICO. 

Indian  Outbreak  at  the  Cimarron  Agency  —  On  the  War  Path — Troops  Owlered 
Against  Them  —  Peaceful  Overtures  Result  in  a  Council  —  Clauses  of  the 
Outbreak  —  Condition  of  the  Indians — In  Council  —  The  Threatened  War 
Avoided  —  Successful  Efforts  to  Better  Ctmdition  of  the  Indians  —  Character 
of  the  Country  —  Interesting  Ruins  —  Santa  Ft'  —  Pike's  Peak  —  Helen  Hunt 
Jackson  and  Her  Last  Resting  Place.     .  182-191 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE    SIOIX    WAU. 


m 
hil 
lof 
lie 


136-144 


Tribes  Composing  the  Dakota  Nations  —  Causes  Leading  to  the  War  of  1H76-7  —  Sit- 
ting Bull  — He  Co(|uettes  With  Post  Ti-ader  and  Trifles  with  a  Saw  Mill  — 
Marauding  Expeditions  —  Exjiedition  of  General  Crook  —  Crook's  De- 
feat—  General  Gibbcm's  Expeditions  —  General  Terry's  Exjjedition  —  Defeat 
and  Tragic  Death  of  Custer,  and  Annihilation  of  his  Command. 


192-197 


,|i;.r 


10  PEJiSOXAL  UKCOLLKCTIOSS  OF  GES.  NELSOy  A.  MILES. 

CHAITKIt    XV. 

TIIK    (;rSTKK    MASSACKE. 

A  Subject  Miicli  Disnisscd  —  A  PrfvailiiiK  Krroncniis  Im|)n>ssi(>ii — f'a|ttnin  Cf(Klfrcy'n 
Statciucnt — Tlit'doricliisiotimif  (it'iit'nil  Fry  —  'I'lic  Krnir  nf  I'lidcrt'stiinaiiiig 
tin-  Korct'df  llu'  Kiifiiiy — Tlit>  Aiitlior's  (!(»iicliisi<iiis  as  to  tlw  Cause  tif  tlie 
Disaster  —  The  Facts  Set  Forth — Keno  and  Beiiteen,  and  Their  Conniuuids 
ill  Custer's   I^ast   Hattle.  . 


PAdKS 


198-l.Ml 


(MIAITKW    XVI. 


i 


AKTKH    THK    CfSTKlt    MASSACKE. 

Oitlers  to  Reinforce  General  Terry  —  Notes  of  Preparation — Farewell  to  Families  and 
F'riends — Departure  from  Fort  Leavenworth  —  Incidents  of  the  .lourney  Up 
the  Missouri  —  Affairs  at  the  Mt)uth  of  the  Yelh>wst(me  —  F'ort  Bufonl  to  the 
Kosebud  —  Junction  of  Terry  and  (!rook  —  The  Largest  Military  Force  Ever 
Assembled  on  the  Plains  —  Captain  Anson  Mills  at  Slim  Buttes  —  (Jenerals 
Terry  and  (!rook  Repair  to  Winter  (Quarters  to  Hesinne  the  CampuiKn  in  the 
Spring  —  "Yellowstone  Kelly"  —  In  Cantonment  —  Severity  of  the  Climate 
in  Winter 

CHAPTER   XVI r. 


'2l-2-2-2i) 


A    WINTKK    CAMl'AKJX. 


1: 


Preparing  for  a  Winter  Campaign  —  Sitting  Bull  Divides  His  P'orces  —  A  Narrow 
Kscape  —  Supi)ly  Train  Driven  Back  By  Indians  —  limiting  for  Sitting 
Bull  —  He  is  Found  —  Meeting  Between  the  Lines  —  Attempted  Treachery  — 
A  Second  Meeting  —  Conference  Ends  Abru])tly  —  The  Battle  (Ipens — Prairie 
on  Fire  —  Indians  Defeated  and  Hotly  Pursued  —  Again  a  Flag  of  Truce  — 
Main  B(Kly  of  Indians  Agree  to  Surrender  n*  Agency  and  (rive  Hostages  — 
Escajie  of  Sitting  Bull  and  Portion  of  Indians  —  Scout  Boyd  —  Again  After 
Sitting  Bull  —  Captain  Baldwin  Surprises  and  Routs  Him  —  Return  to  the 
Cantonment 221-235 

CHAPTER    XVIir. 

CAMPAIGN    AGAINST    CIIKYENNES    AND    OGALAf.LAS. 

Preparati(ms  —  The  March  —  Experiences  of  Winter  Campaigning — First  Encounter — 
The  Battle  —  Big  Crow  —  Battle  in  a  Snowstorm  —  Retreat  of  the  En- 
emy—  Brughier  the  Scout  —  Coming  in  of  the  Indians — Conference  —  A 
Suicide  —  Oration  of  Little  Chief  —  Hostages  —  Sitting  Bull  Decamps  — 
First    Exi)eriments    in    Farming 236-247 


iW 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

TIIK    LAME    DEER    EXPEDITION. 

Composition  of  the  Command  —  Beginning  the  March  —  Weather — Sharp  Indian 
Eyes  —  A)>i)roafhing  the  Camp  —  The  Attack  —  A  Close  Call  —  Losses  —  The 
Return  —  Mounting  the  Infantry  —  A  Circus  with  Indian  Horses  —  Following 
the  Retreating  Indians  —  Winter  in  the  Northwest  —  Queer  Peculiarities  of 
Indian  Feet  —  Fine  Specimens  of  the  Race  —  VL.''t  of  General  Sherman  — 
Report  of    General    Sheridan 248-256 


^■>i_. 


TA/U.K  OF  ro.\T/;.\T.s 


11 


CHAITKIi    XX. 

TIIK    XKZ    VKUcf.    rAMI'AKlN. 

Character  of  tlH>  N»'7,  PiMv^^r*  —  Tlif  Wallowa  NalU-y  —  Cliicf  .Fnsi'pli  — How  tin*  War 
Was  Ht'f^un  —  Howard  and  (iihlMtii's  ('am|iainiis  —  Preparations  for  tlu' 
M«»v»'iiH'nt — Tilt'  Troops  Dt'ttiilt-d — Tli»*  Indian  Allies — UrinniiiK  a 
Stt'anit'r  —  The  Recall  —  Captain  Baldwin  —  A  Forced  March  —  Mans  and  tlio 
Bear  —  A  Change  of  Costume.  .  . 


PAOKS 


L>50--'tlH 


CHAPTKK    XXI. 

THE   SIEliK    A.NH    TICK    SIKKHNDKU. 

The  Attack — Surprise  of  the  N<'z  I'erc^s  —  Death  of  Hale  and  Middle  —  Escape  of 
White  Mii-d  —  Layiny  Sit^,'e  to  the  Indian  Camp — Precautions  Against  a 
Counter  Siege  —  A  ''•>•<•■••(•  and  an  Kxchange  —  .\  False  .Marni  —  The  Sur- 
render—  Back  to  the  Missouri  —  Meeting  Sturgis'  Comimmd — (Carrying  the 
Wounded  and  Burying  the  Dead  —  Apjtearance  of  the  (Jommaiul  on  the 
March — ("onduct  of  the  Indian  Allies  and  Their  Kewanl  —  Their  Kndur- 
anoe  —  Return  to  the  Cantonment — Final  Dispt)sition  of  the  Indian.s.     .  271-1280 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

A    VISIT    TO    irsTKU's    LAST    HAITI. KKI  KM). 

A  Season  of  Quiet  —  The  Crow  Indian  Camj)  —  An  Indian  Field  Day  —  Colors  and 
Disguises  of  the  Indian  Warrior  and  Hunter — An  Indian  Sham  Battle  — 
.loiirney  to  the  Custer  Battle  Oround  —  Indian  Explanation  of  the  Fight  — 
Nature  of  the  (Jround  and  the  Disposition  and  Movements  of  Cust<'r's 
Ccmimand  — Why  the  Battle  Was  Lost 283-293 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

TIIK    HAXNOCK    CAMI'AIOX. 

Changea  AVrought  by  Peace  —  Kailroad  Surveys  and  Telegrai)h  Lines  —  Interrupted 
Journey  to  Yellowstone  Park  —  News  of  the  Bannocks — Beginning  of  the 
Campaign  —  The  Crows  ns  Allies  —  The  Stealthy  .Approach  —  Atta<'k  and 
Victory  —  Losses  —  The  Return — An  Indian  Burial  —  .lourney  to  Yellow- 
stone Park  Kesumed  —  The  Mountain  Buffalo  —  Scenery  of  tiie  Route  —  A 
Wonderland  —  Fourteen  Years  Later 294-305 


I 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 


SITTINii    Iiri.I.. 

His  Camp  in  Canada  —  Camjmign  of  Lieutenant  Clark  —  The  Red  River  Half-Breeds  — 
Campaign  of  Captaii'  Huggins  —  .Stealing  as  a  Fine  Art  —  Customs  in  Re- 
si)ect  to  .Stealing  Expeditions — How  the  Theft  is  Accomplished  —  Names  of 
Places  and  Why  They  Were  Given  —  The  "Counting  Coos"  —  Exi)l()it  of 
Sergeant  Glover  —  A  Conference  with  the  Indians  —  The  Telegraph  and 
Telephone  as  Arguments  —  The  Surrender  of  the  Chiefs  —  The  Ute  Out- 
break  


306-319 


I 


11!  1 1 


fiiii 


s- 


l',»  /7;A'.s O.V.I/,  nr.iOl.l.F.rTHtSS  OF  CF.S.  SKI.soS  .\.  MII.ES. 

CIIAITKU  XXV. 

HKSl'l.TH    (IK    SIX     VKAlts    (»K    IM»I,\N    TA  >l  I'A  Hi  M  Ml. 

He'.leenuKi  Tcrritoi-y  —  Iti*  \iist  Art-n  —  /mu'snl'  KmiKnitioii — Iii(liciitii)nMir(!|itiriu't«M' 
From  Nntiiriil  Siirrc'iiuliiiK?*  —  Tin' Tniiis-iMHitini'iitiil  Uiiil\Mi.v> — l.iiiid  niul 
Its  I'lTlility  —  l»t')*tiii,v  of  tin'  Wi'st — Yt'llowstniit'  Vnllcy — Tlif  I'mlilt'iii  of 
IrriUiititiii  —  A  ^V(•^t('^ll  "  City  "  —  Tlie  l'lin'«'  niul  Work  of  Our  Soldiers  in 
\V«'8t»'rii  I'ro^frt'HH 

CIlAITKIf  XXVI. 

TIIK    INDIAN     I'KOIII.KM. 

CtHU'liiHioiis  of  Personal  Kx|n'rit'iic('  —  Kntl  of  tin'  liuliiin  Troultlt's  Not  Vi't  Near  — 
(►riKiiia!  I'liiiscs  of  Tln'sf — Intiiaiis  in  Motivf  I.ikf  Otln-r  Men —  History  of 
tin'  Iiuiiaii  ill  tin'  United  .'States  —  The  Two  Mcnles  of  Solving;  the  t^iestion — 
The  Author's  I'lan  for  tlie  Benefit  of  the  Indian  and  the  .S'ciirinu  of  Perma- 
nent Peace X\Q-Zh\ 


PAOKH 


3-J(V38r) 


CHAPTKU  XXVII. 

•lOfllXKY    WKSTWAKI). 

Promotion  from  Colonel  to  Bripnlier-deneral  —  He>,'inniii^;  of  .Tourney  Westward  — 
Ori^jin  of  iH'iiver  —  The  (iold  .Seekers  from  (ieorfiia  —  From  I-awrence  and 
Leavenworth — The  Keeoiil  on  the  Hocks  —  The  Town  of  Montana  —  The 
Kansas  rommissioners  —  Arapahoe  County  —  Overland  Communication  — 
Vice  in  the  lOarly  Times  —  A  Historic  Tree — The  First  llailroad — The  Hen- 
ver  of  To-day 


352--361 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 


mv\ 


r  '  l| 


m 


SALT    I.AKK    niV    AND    TIIK    MORMONS. 

Josepli  Smith  —  The  Mormons  in  New  York.<Hiio.  Missouri  and  Illinois  —  The  Exodus 
Across  the  Wilderness  —  Salt  T-ake — Hrij^ham  Youn^,  his  C'haracter  and 
Work  — Salt  Lake  City  Now 362-370 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

ACR<»SS    ITAII    AND    XKVADA. 

From  fv.;t  Lake  t(t  San  Francisco  —  On  the  Pacific  —  The  Columl)ia  River  —  Mount 
Ho(kI  —  Mount  Shasta  —  A  Mountain  Lake  —  City  of  Portland  —  Oregon  — 
WashiuKton  —  Climate  of  the  Northwest — Willamette  Valley  —  The  For- 
ests—(told —  Cattle   Haisinn  —  Spokane  and  Tacomn  —  Idaho 871-383 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

A    CUArTKR    OIT    OK    KARLY    HISTORY. 

Ideas  of  American  Statesmen  Fifty  Years  Ago  —  Discovery  of  the  Ct)lunil)i« — Chiiins 
of  tin'  United  States  to  the  Nortlnvest  Territory  — The  Early  Missions  — 
Dr.  Whitman  and  Mr.  S|)alding  —  The  First  Overland  .Tourney  —  The  Old 
Wapon  —  (Jeiieral  Lovejoy  —  Result  in  Washington  of  the  Teaching  of  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company  —  The  Pending  Treaty  —  The  Return  Journey  of 
AVhitmnn  and  Lovejoy  —  A  Change  of  View  in  Washington — The  Lesson  of 
the  Old  Wagon  — Work  and  Death  of  Dr.  Whitman.  384-396 


'\»\ 


■i 


w. 


TMii.i:  III'  I  n\Ti:.\rs 


13 


kI  iiikI 

It'll!  of 
ITS    ill 


•  '111*  — 

i>ry  of 
tioti — 
'rinii- 


iwl  — 
I'  iiiul 
-  Th.. 
on  — 
Dt'ii- 


ind 


I'AdKS 


3J<>-33r) 


ClIAlTKlf    XWI. 


l»KI'.\KTMKNT    OK    TIIK   ttH.l.MIUA. 


n36-3fil 


3o2--36i 


362-370 


Tilt'  liulinn  SIkm  T.nnuiinK»' —  Tlif  "  Cliiiiotik "  LiuiKUiiKf  —  Viiiu'oiiVfi'  BurrnckH  — 
Troops  in  lli<'  Iif|iarliMfiil  —  Woi'k  Acf<>ni|ili>liftl  —  I  iifxplori'tl  Ui-nioMH  — 
Expi'tlition  of  l,ii'iiifiiHiil  Symoiis  —  of  Lii'iititinnl  I'ifrcf  —  nihcr  Siir- 
vi'jH  —  ViHJt  of  (ii'Mfral  Slicrnmn  —  KITfcl  of  llnilroail  JtiiiltlinK  —  N«'\v  ('imst 
Hatti'i'it'H — U«>M«>i'vatioiis,  and    N(inilM>r  of    Indiana.  ... 


CIIAITKH  XXXII. 

("II  IKK    MOSES    AMI    II  1>     11!  I  UK. 

Tilt' Bt'^iniiliiK  of  Trouldt'  —  Ciiii'f  Mosi-s,  and  thf  Mom-s  Ki'si'i'valion  —  ('hiisi-s  of 
Dissatisfaclioii  —  Action  of  Colont'l  Mt>rriain  —  Invfslipitioii  hy  Captain 
HaUhviii  —  Mci'tln^  and  ('oiiiuil  at  N'ancoiivt'r — .\  Nt'W  Treaty  aiitl  a  Ni'W 
Ut'stTvation  —  Tin'  Iti'stiits  —  Loo|doop's  .Siatt'inciit  of  tlii'  .'^itinilion  —  Uf- 
vii'W  of  till'  Ni'z  I't'i-ct''  .Situation  on  Tlu'ir  Final  |{t'tiirii  From  tlif  Indian 
Territory 


rilAlTKU    XXXIII. 

OIK     A  I, ASK  AX     I'dSSKssltl.NS. 

Discovery  of  Alaska  hy  Relirinj,'  —  The  Fur  Hunters  —  Tlie  I{iissi;Mi  Companies  and 
Their  Successor  —  Sale  of  the  C-oimtry  to  the  I'liited  States  —  The  Trr.ns- 
fer — N'ast  .Size  of  Alaska  —  Climate — Mountains — Mount  .St.  lOlias  — 
(Uaciers  —  Miiir  (J  lacier —  Kxpedition  of  Lieu  tenant  .Schwatka  —  Character 
«)f  the  Natives  —  Their  Hoats — Exju'ditioii  of  i.ieiitenant  Ahercromhie  — 
The  ('opjier  Hiver  Country  —  Seals  and  Their  Htmkeries  —  Sahiion  and  the 
Cunniiif^  Industry  —  British  Streiifjth  in  the  Northwest  Territory.      . 


CHAITER    XXXIV. 


l'.\llKl4 


;m7-44>3 


•UM-416 


410-431 


lint 
or- 


FKO.M     INKIAX    TKUKITOKY    Tt)    A1!I/.<»NA. 


371-383 


situation  of  the  Indian  Territory  in  Ihh")  —  The  Utes  in  New  Mexico  and  Colorado  — 
Visit  to  the  Cheyeimes  and  Arapahoes  —  Bejfinninys  of  New  Apache  Troubles 
in  Arizona  —  Early  Arizona,  and  F^arliest  F^xplorations  —  Ancient  Ruins  — 
Character  of  the  Country — Mines — Population.  


432-444 


ns 

Id 
le 
of 
)f 


384-396 


C^IIAPTEH    XXXV 


THE    APACHE    AXI)    THE    SOI.OIER. 


(tenornl  Crook  and  His  Experiences  —  Character  of  these  Indians  —  Illustrative  In- 
stances—  A  Wilderness  CeinettM-y  —  Mountnin  Fastnesses  of  Arizona  — 
Kesources  of  the  Apache    in    Wai — A   Former   Cuinpaiyn.    ...... 


445-440 


PACiES 


14  PERSONAL  KECOLLECTKLXS  OF  (iEN.  NELSOX  A.  MILES. 

CIIAPTEU    XXXV  r. 

A    CAMPAKiN     A(iAINST    AI'ArUKS. 
(Captain  Mais'  Xakhativk.) 

Beginning  of  the  Cnnipnign  of  (KHrj  —  C'rossing  Into  Mexico — MetliiKls  of  the  Indian 
Scouts — Litth'  Mexicnti  Towns  and  Their  People  —  Mescal,  and  Its  Use  by 
Indians  —  First  News  of  the  Ilostiles — iSegi'ining  of  a  -Mountain  March  on 
Foot — AI)andoned  ('amps  —  The  Devil's  Hackhone — Finding  the  Ilos- 
tiles—  The  Attack  —  A  Battle  witli  Mexican  Troops  That  was  Fought  by 
Mistake  —  Captain  Crawford  >b)rtally  Wounded  —  I^ater  Action  of  the  .>b'xi- 
cans  —  The  Homeward  March  —  ^h'ssenger  from  (ieroi\imo — A  Confer- 
ence—  An  Iiulian  Trick  —  Death  of  CJaptain  Crawford — Mnrial  at  Nacori, 
Mexico — Unfriendly  Disposition  of  the  Mexicans  —  Arrival  in  United  States 
Territory — Return  for  the  Ilostiles  —  The  Signal  —  The  Escape  and  Fur- 
suit —  Kesults  of  the  Expedition 4r)t)-479 

CIIArTElJ    XXXVII. 

TIIK    AI{IZ(»NA    CAMTAKiN.        I. 

Problem  Presented  by  the  Situation  —  Opinions  of  Citizens  —  The  Obstacles  to  Success 
Presented  by  the  Natural  Conditions  —  Aid  From  the  Signal  Corps  at  Wash- 
ington—  The  Ileliostat — Arrangement  of  Stations  —  Number  of  Messages 
Sent  —  Districts  of  Observation — Cantain  Lawton  —  ("aptain  Wood — Other 
Officers  of  the  ('omniand  —  Breaking  Out  of  the  Ilostiles  —  Details  of  the 
Campaign  Against  *he  Ajjaches 480-493 


m- 


ii' 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

THK    AUIZOXA    CAMrAUiN.        II. 


The  Que^-tic.i  ef  Pemoving  the  Indians  From  Arizona  —  C'onsultations  with  Agents- 
Captain  Pierce  —  Colonel  Wade  —  Discharge  of  the  Ajjache  Scouts  —  Visit 
to  Fort  Ajiache  —  The  Appearance  of  the  Agency  Indians  —  "  Tiswin  "  — 
Sending  a  Delegation  to  Washington — The  Result — Correspondence  with 
War  Department  —  Fort  Marion  Decided  Upon  as  Place  of  Confinement  — 
Prejmrations  at  Fort  Apache — Using  the  Telegrai)h  Between  Wilcox  and 
Fort  Apache  — "A  Chip  of  the  Old  Block." 494-505 


CHAPTER  XXXI X. 

INCIDENTS    t)F    TIIK    Al'ACIIK    CAMPAKiV. 

The  Story  of  the  AVounded  Apaclie  —  Captain  AVo(h1's  Story  —  Cliaracter  of  Ajmche 
Raids — Tlie  Case  of  the  Peck  Family  —  Indian  Ideas  About  Insane  Persons  — 
Fight  Between  Apaches  and  Alexicans,  and  Some  of  its  Results  —  fleeting  the 
Mexican  Troops —  Finding  the  Murderetl  Mexicans —  Finding  Dead  B<HUes  on 
the  ^larch  —  Indian  Manner  of  Riding  Horses  to  Deatli  —  Th»'  Old  .Mines  of 
Mexico — How  the  Soldiers  Marched,  Ate  ami  Slept  —  Sur)  rising  an  Indian 
Camp — Preliminaries  of  Surrender  at  Fronteras  —  (reronimo  Comes  In  — 
Agreement  to  Surrender  —  fleeting  with  the  Mexican  Soldiers  —  (teronimo's 
Friendly  Offer  to  Assist --^b'xican  Nervousness — Losing  a  Comnuind  —  A 
New  RiHe  —  A  Stampedt>  —  ^b'xican  Towns  —  Extreme  Hardship  »)f  the 
Campaign  —  The  Pro[)ortion  of  Survivors  —  (teronimo's  Philosophy  of  Sur- 
render   506-518 


i 


T.xniE   OF  rOXTEXTS. 


cnAiTER  xr. 


END    OF    THE    ArACIlK    WAK. 


PA0E8 


450-479 


15 


PACiBS 


Pri'liminaries  of  tiunviuler  —  An  Indiiin  HostaRc  —  (loiiin  in  Person  to  Meet  the 
Indians  —  Courajn'  >>f  Otticers — Litnitcnant  Kncker,  antl  "  Kucker's 
CaiTon  "  —  Arrival  at  SkeltMon  Tafion — Visi;  by  (icroninio  —  A  Question 
of  Terms  —  (ieroninio  and  tiie  IlelioslHt — Telling'  tlie  Cliief  of  the  Destiny 
of  His  Tribe  —  How  Nateliez  was  Hrougiit  in  —  C'iuiracter  and  Dress  of  (u>r- 
oninio's  Hand — How  Crimes  Were  Committed  —  Ditheuilies  of  the  Civil 
Power  in  Dealing  with  KeneKade  Indians  —  The  KtTeet  of  the  Campaign 
Upon  the  Officers  —  Arranp'nienls  at  Fort  Kowie — >b'etinKof  Otlieers  and 
Their  Families  —  Dei>arlure  of  the  Indians  for  Florida  —  "  Auld  Lanfj 
Syne" — Feeliiifjof  the  Citizens  of  Arizona  Toward  the  Apaehes — KlTeet  of 
Removal  Upon  Values  in  the  Territory  —  Colonel  Wade's  Task  in  Kemov- 
inR  the  Iiulians  Fi  >'>  Fort  Apache — Remarkable  KscajM' and  Return  of  a 
Sinjile  Indian  —  Ideas  and  Emotions  of  the  Indians  While  on  the  Train  — 
The  Remaining  Small  Hand  of  Hostiles,  and  Their  Fiiuil  Capture  —  At- 
tempted Escape  of  Mantis  from  a  Train  —  Tribut»>  to  the  Officers  Engaged 
in   the  Campaign.      ...  519-632 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

now    TIIE    KEUULAKS    AKE    TKAINEP. 


4SO-403 


Itedueed  Expenses  on  the  Cessation  of  Indian  Hostilities  —  The  Nogales  Disturbance  — 
Troubles  at  San  Carlos  Reservation  —  The  Emergencies  of  Present  Military 
Service — Why    Indians  Are    Difficult    to  Cai)ture  —  Field    Service  and    Its 
Value  —  The  Field    Maneuvers  of   18(^7  —  Oiilers   for  the   Same  —  Their  Suc- 
cess. Value  and  Results.  533-544 


494-505 


CIIAITEU    XLII. 

THE    ARID    KE«ilON    AM)    IKUKi ATIOX. 

The  Conditions  of  the  Arid  Region  —  A  Rich  Soil,  but  a  hack  of  Rainfall  —  What  the 
Arid  Rett  Includes  —  Area,  and  Proportion  Irrigated — The  Sub-Humid 
Region — The  Standard  of  Humidity  —  Science  and  Personal  Experience  — 
Idea  of  Farming  by  Irrigation  New  to  the  Saxon — The  Instance  of  Cali- 
fornia—  Irrigation  in  History  —  Univer.sal  Efficiency  of  the  System  —  The 
Measures  Taken  by  the  Govermnent  —  The  Actitm  of  States  —  Cost — Reasons 
for  Further  Government  Action 


545-657 


h  s 

A 

Ihe 

U'- 


506-518 


CHAPTER    XIJII. 

TKANsrOKTATION. 

rht'  Uiibridged  Space  Between  the  East  and  the  Wt-st  —  Early  Railroads  —  Early 
Railroads  of  the  United  States  —  C^hange  in  Rates  of  Speed  —  Prophecy  of 
Simon  ('ameron  —  Vast  and  Rnjiid  Increase  of  Mileage  —  The  Slee|ting  Car  — 
The  Old  Passenger  Car  —  Through  Tickets  ami  Transfers  —  The  (M-igin  of  the 
Idea  of  n  T''ans-continental  IJne  —  The  Um'on  and  Central  Pacitic  Lines  — 
The  Ncn'thern  Pacific  —  The  Thirty-tifth  Parallel  Route  —  The  Southern 
Pacific — Land  (xrants  to  the  PaciHc  Linps--Sum  of  Land  Grants  to  All 
Lines  —  Gross  Income  of  the  Kailroatls  of  the  United  States.  .     .     . 


658-508 


n 


m 
I 


16 


I'EHSOXAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF  (lES.  NELSON  A.  MILLS. 


CHAriEH    XLIV. 


•"I 


CAI.IFOKMA. 

Size  of  California  —  Tht>  Naiiu' "California" —  Discovi'ry  —  Tli('S|mniai-ds  —  Drake  —  The 
Coinin^j  of  the  Fnincisoins  —  The  Missions  —  Wcaltii  of  the  Siinie  —  Tiie 
IndiiiMs  and  Tlicir  ("oiidition — Customs  of  the  Oitl  Time  —  First  Immigrants 
from  tiie  Slates  —  ConniKKlore  Siont  and  (ii'!n«ral  Fremont  —  First  IIoisliiiK 
of  (lie  American  Fhi^ — Discovery  of  Cold  —  Sutler  and  Marsliiiil  —  Ivapid 
lucreasf  of  Population  —  The  (Character  of  the  Pioneers  —  Admittanci>  as 
n  State — Ccofiraphy  of  California — The  Two  Nntural  Divisions  of  the 
State  —  ('alifornia  Wonders — Yosemite,  Little  Yoscmilc,  Kinj?'s  River 
Cai'ion,  etc — The  Seasons — Vast  Product  of  the  State  in  Fruits  and  Ce- 
reals —  ^lanufactures  —  Educational  Institutions  —  Los  Anp'les  —  Santa 
Barbara  —  San  Francisco  —  The   Vipilance  (Committee  —  The    Harbor. 


PAOKS 


671-590 


A  !i 


'V 


il 


LLS. 


ke  — The 
no  — The 

iii^'rimts 
Hoisting 

—  Kiipid 
tniiee  as 
s  of  tlie 
:'s  Uiver 
ami  (!('- 

—  Santa 


PAGES 


671-690 


1 


CIlAPTKi:    I. 
In  New  England  Fifty  Years  Ago. 

PiuposK  OK  This  Hook  —  Tiii:  Sioni'imkni"  ok  Cointhv   L'\i\  khs  ai. —  A   Dkmockacy  Natikai,  i.n 

Amkiiicv  —   Tm;  (IiiANCii:  khom    I'iumitivk    Xavv.    to   tiii;    I'uksknt,  and  tiii-:  Mk\  Who 

Madi:  IT —  Kaiu.y  Nkvv  Knci.am)  (!oi,omsts  —  Inki.i  knci:   okCi.imvti: — Mas- 

sAciiisirri's  — Tin-:  Iski.iknci;  ok  Nkw   lONcii.AMi   Ii>i:as  in  Oik  IIistoky 

—  Tin;    Indian    in    Ni;\v  lONdi.ANO —  Likk   Tiikui;    I-'ikiv    Ykaks 

A<io  —  Tiii;  Airiioit's  Voirii   and  Ancksi'kv  —  Sroitiics 

AND  TiiKiK  Kkkkcp  I'i'oN    I nci.i n ation —  Hkkokio 

riiic  Wak  —  I^Aiu.iiosr  M ii.ii'akv  Tuaimni;. 

T  is  my  purpose  in  tliis  volimio  to  writf  coiicornin^'  Ji  sul)ject  that 
is  nearest  the  heart  of  every  true  American  —  Our  Country, 
and  its  eventful  changes  and  transformations  as  I  have  observed 
them  (hiring'  tlie  brief  period  of  my  own  life. 

Doubtless  tlie  most  refined  and  enlightened  of  the  hunniii 
race  best  com[)rehend  and  appreciate  the  sentiment  expressed  by 
the  words  "  my  Country,"  Ikit  we  Know  that  he  whom  we  are 
accustomed  to  consider  the  most  stoical  sava|,'e  also  cherishes  the 
same  thoiij^ht  and  feeling  to  an  intense  degree.  The  warrior  standing 
amid  the  primeval  forest,  or  on  the  crest  of  some  butte  towering  above 
the  prairie,  or  beneath  the  shadow  of  some  mountain,  also  has  this  sublime 
inspiration,  it  has  been  said  that  patriotism  is  a  narrow  sentiment,  and 
that  one's  love  for  mankind  ought  not  to  be  bounded  l)y  the  ocean's 
tides,  the  course  of  rivers  or  the  trend  of  mountain  chains.  And  yet  we 
cuiinot  but  feel  a  deep  and  special  interest,  a  just  pride,  in  contemplating 
our  own  country.  Its  remarkable  history,  its  character,  unlike  that  of 
any  other,  its  institutions  and  system  of  government,  its  prosperity,  its 
magnitude  and  grandeur,  are  all  without  precedent  or  rival.  In  fact 
there  seems  to  be  something  in  the  very  atmosphere  of  this  country  that 
inspires  indei)endence,  lilierality  and  freedom  of  thought  and  action. 
These  qualities  are  not  characteristic  of  those  only  who  have  taken 
possession  of  this  country,  l)ut  also  of  its  original  occupants.  I  shall 
have  occasion  to  remark  later  in  these  pages,  that  the  customs  and 
governments   of  the   aborigines    were    purely   democratic.     The    voice, 

M— 2  (17) 


Hi 


If 


I! 


;,»':: 


!  I 


|i 


w, 


. 


18 


PEHSONAL  HECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


the  opinions,  the  wishes,  the  rij;htsand  interests  of  the  majority  and  minor- 
ity of  that  race  were  also  by  them  duly  ascertained  and  always  respected. 

Writing  of  the  change  from  primitive  life  and  conditions  to  modern 
civilization  as  I  have  observed  it,  I  shall  have  occasion  to  mention  the 
faitlifnl  soldier,  the  adventurous  exploiter,  the  hardy  pioneer,  the  mission- 
ary and  teacher,  the  hunter,  trapper  and  miner,  and  last,  but  not  least, 
the  home-builders  of  the  West.  I  shall  also  endeavor  to  describe  some  of 
the  chief  distinguishing  characteristics  of  our  people  as  they  have  devel- 
oped in  that  vast  new  Held,  noting  the  influence  of  the  cavalier  of  the  South, 
of  the  descendants  of  the  Huguenot,  of  the  sturdy  and  sagacious  Knicker- 
bocker, and  of  the  adventurous  and  enterprising  Puritan  of  New  England. 
1  may  be  pardoned  for  referring  first  to  the  last-named  section,  the  char- 
acter of  its  people,  its  society,  and  my  own  New  England  home. 

The  earliest  colonists  of  New  England  possessed  in  an  extraordinary 
degree  moral,  mental  and  physical  strength  and  energy.  This  was  in 
accordance  with  nature's  laws,  for  only  those  possessed  of  such  qualities 
could  have  had  the  courage  to  venture  upon  unknown  seas  in  search  of 
liberty  upon  unexplored  shores,  and  the  fortitude  to  endure  the  rigors  of 
an  exposed,  desperate  and  unaccustomed  life.  Here  these  sturdy  qualities 
were  expanded  and  strengthened  because  they  were  surrounded  in  their 
every-day  life  by  the  hardest  conditions.  Every  faculty  was  on  the  alert, 
and  every  sinew  of  the  body  was  called  into  constant  and  intense  en- 
deavor to  sustain  life  and  defend  their  infant  settlements.  They  dwelt 
m  an  atmosphere  of  continual  trial,  danger  and  warfare  for  nearly  two 
hundred  years,  no  generation  during  that  time  escaping  an  incursion  of 
savages  to  their  doors  or  a  general  war. 

Possibly  the  climate  may  have  had  somewhat  to  do  with  giving  tone 
and  vigor  to  the  heart  and  l)rain  of  the  people  of  New  England.  Four 
very  sharply-defined  seasons  follow  one  after  another  in  that  region, 
each  with  vicissitudes  and  charms  peculiarly  its  own,  constantly  making 
demands  upon  the  physical  system,  and  the  thought  and  ingenuity  of  its 
inhabitants.  Before  the  heart  of  man  is  fully  sated  with  spring's 
joys  and  ))eauties.  summer  conies  with  nature's  growing  gifts.  Then 
follow  the  beautiful  autumn  and  "Indian  Summer"  with  their  rii)e 
fruit  and  golden  harvest.  At  last  winter  brings  its  toils  and  pleasures  of 
a  sturdier  cast,  more  invigorating  l)ut  no  less  pleasing,  that  round  up  in 
full  measure  New  England's  well-dehned  seasons. 

These  observations  concerning  the  people  and  climate  of  New  Eng- 
land are  applicable  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts  in  an  especial  degree. 


I 


''<im 


1 


GEXE15AL  NKI.SON  A.   MILP:S. 


W) 


ty  and  niinor- 
lys  resi)e('ted. 
IS  to  modern 
mention  tlie 
,  the  mission- 
•ut  not  least, 
•ribe  some  of 
y'  have  devel- 
of  the  South, 
ous  Knieker- 
[ew  England, 
on,  the  char- 
le. 

xtraordinary 
rhis  was  in 
ich  qualities 
in  search  of 
the  rigors  of 
fdy  qualities 
ded  in  their 
on  the  alert, 
intense  en- 
Tliey  dwelt 
nearly  two 
ncursion  of 

jfiving  tone 
and.  Four 
lat  region, 

ly  making 
luity  of  its 
h  spring's 
Ifts.  Then 
Itheir  ripe 

easures  of 
find  up  in 

Tew  Eng- 
l1  degree. 


■1 


its  founders  were  the  pioneers  in  much  that  is  most  admirable  in  the 
entire  civilization  of  this  republic.  The  history  of  the  Massachusetts 
colonies  and  of  the  commonwealth  that  succeeded  them  Is  brilliant  with 
events  that  mark  the  progress  of  the  human  race,  bright  in  the  develop- 
ment of  enlightened  tlumght  and  the  uplifting  of  man  into  higher  and 
irrauder  civilization. 

The  little  band  which  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Hrst  colony  nuiy  be 
likened  to  a  germ  which,  escaping  from  the  oppression  of  the  old  world, 
burst  into  blossom  aiid  bore  fruit  in  the  changed  atmosphere  of  the  new. 


Severing  themselves  from 
of  their  native  land,  the 
was  at  that  time  a  long 
prompted  by  the  loftiest 
ambition.  Theirs  was  not 
they  were  seeking  a  haven 
tellectual  op- 
forests  and  ^  ^. 
chusetts  they 
tions  u  p  o  n 
reared  not 
wealth  alone 
which  came 
after  anoth- 
t  h  e  Amei'i- 
England  ideas 
thought  have 
with  the  advancing 
are  thoroughly  incor- 
tions  of  the  great  empire  of 
Hostilities  with  a  savage 
very  soon  after  the  colonists 
who  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  British  army,  was  the  tirst  military  leader. 
His  exploits  are  too  well  known  to  require  rehearsal  here.  In  the 
French  and  Indian  wars  iMassacluisetts  contiilmted  liberally  in  men  and 
money,  and  when  the  struggle  for  national  independence  began  it  had 
among  its  citizens  large  numbers  of  experienced  soldiers.  Massachusetts 
was  the  storm-center  of  that  first  great  struggle  for  national  self-gov- 
ernment. Here  was  fired  '"  the  shot  heard  round  the  world,"  and  here 
were  fought  the  first  important  battles  of  that  war. 


Mir.i'.s  Standism. 


the     ties    and     associations 
Pilgrims    undertook   what 
a  n  d    peri  i  o  u  s  voyage, 
pur[)()ses  and  the  noblest 
march   of    conquest ; 
of  rest  from  moral  and  in- 
pression.     Here,  amid  the 
fields     of    Massa- 
V  laid  the  founda- 

which  have  been 
that   common- 
but    all    those 
into   being,    one 
er,  to  make  up 
can  Union.  New 
and   modes  of 
gone  westward 
wave  of  ci^  ilization,  and 
porated  with  the  institu- 
the  West. 

foe  l)egan  in  New  England 
landed.     Miles  Standish, 


s  I 


:!« 


.  !■';: 


M 


m 


Ml!! 


I 


\U 


I.' 


t ,   ( 


Hi 


.;    i 


20  rEUSONAL  KECOI. LECTIONS  OK 

liit'o  in  Now  Kii^diiiid  lifty  years  sij^'o  was  entirely  dilTerent  from  what 
it  is  at  present.  It  was  then  njore  (Mmiiilete  an<l  iiulei»en(lent.  A  well- 
st<K*l\e<l  I'anii  pi-ixhiced  most  that  was  re((iiire(l  tor  tlie  well-hein^  of  a 
family.  There  was  freedom  from  ^^reai  anxiety.  The  forests  and  fi(>lds 
jtrodneed  an  almndance  of  the  reifnirements  of  life,  whih^  now  tlu*  conntry 
has  been  denuded  of  much  of  its  splendid  forc^st.  and  has  hecome  a  vast 
snecession  of  manufacturing  towns  and  cities.     I  recall   it  as  it  was  in 

my  diildhood,  and  naturally  cherish  its  mem- 
ories, privik'^'es,  })leasnres  and  influences.     My 
and    most    lasting    impressions    are 
ed    with   that    time.      To    my     mind, 
Mii^     l)a(d\     through     the    h)ng     vista    of 
eventful   years,  my    home   was   an    ideal   one 
for    the   i)assing    of    an    innocent  and   Inqtpy 
childhood.      Certain    it   is   that    its   sur- 
roundings  and  influence  were  all  well 
suited  to  the  growth  of  hotli  the  phys- 
ical   strength   and   mental   qualities 
re(|iusite  to  the   responsibilities   and 
duties    of   after    life.     Through    i)a- 
rental    guidance    \    had,  even  before 
my     childhood    days    were     passed, 
learned   the    usual    round    of    rural 
accomplishments.      Fi'om  my   ear- 
liest recollection    1    have  felt   i)er- 
fectly   at   homo    on    horsel)ack.     I 
first  rode  in  front  of  my  father,  with 
his  arms  about  mo;  afterward  behind 
him,  holding  on  with  my  arms;  later  alo'ie, 
(dinging  to  the  mane.     I  was  given  a  liorse, 
and  rode   and   managed  him.  at  the   ago 
of  six.     I  became  at  an  early  age  passion- 
ately foiul  of  coasting,  skating,  ball-playing,  swimming,  hunting  and  trap- 
ping, and  many  a  day  was  delightfully  spent  in  exploring  the  surrounding 
country,  with  a  favoi'ito  dog  as  my  only  companion. 

Theso  physical  and  mental  advantages  were  not  the  only  ones  for 
which  I  feel  it  a  very  [)leasant  duty  to  render  thanks  to  my  honored  parents. 
Simplicity  of  life,  pui'ity  of  tlnmght  and  action,  and  high  moral  stand- 
ards were  as  characterisiic  of  them  as  of  their  ancestors  through  many 


Daxihl  Mii.ios. 


I 


Mit  from  what 
ilciit.     A  wcll- 

<'11-I»<MI1^'   of  u 
'sts  and  fields 
w  tlio  count ry 
i>oc(Hiio  a  vast 
as  it  \\as  in 
risli  its  mcMi- 
tllKMlccs.      My 
picssions    are 
'o    my     mind, 
»n<4'     yista     of 
an    ideal   one 
it  and    happy 
tliat    its   snr- 
were  all  well 
xttli  the  piiys- 
tal    qualities 
sihilities   and 
Through    pa- 
even  before 
ore     i)assed. 
id    of    rural 
oin  my   ear- 
ive  felt  pei-- 
orsehack.     I 
father,  with 
.vard  behind 
:  later  alone, 
iven  a  horse, 
at  the   ago 
age  passion- 
ig  and  trap- 
uirrounding 

~\y  ones  for 
L'ed  parents. 
I  oral  stand- 
bugh  many 


(JKNKHAI-  NKI.SON  A.   MILKS. 


21 


j^cnonitions. 


Mv   fjiiher.  Daniel    Milos,  excollod    in    stnMi<rti».  resolution. 


boldness  untl  the  liigliest  sense  of  honor.  To  the  example  of  iiis  sterling' 
integrity.  si)otless  charaeter  and  loyalty  to  country.  I  owe  whatever  of 
aptitude  1  have  possessed  in  nieetinj;  the  stern  realities  of  a  somewhat 
tumultuous  life  in  an  exactinj^  profession.  My  father's  hi{,di  (|ualities 
had  heen  transmitted 
hroai^h    five   i^enerations 


from  Kev.  .lohn  Myles,  a 
Welsh  eler^ynnin,  who  had 
heen  not  only  a  soldier  of 
the  Cross,  but  also  a  soldier 
of  approved  valor  and  con- 
duct in  the  Indian  wars. 
For  many  years  he  carried 
on  a  school  "for  the  teach- 
inj;  of  grammar  and  arith- 
metic, and  the  tonj^ues  of 
Latin,  (ireek  and  Hebrew, 
also  how  to  read  En<5lish 
and  to  write." 

This  ancestor's  residence 
was  stron«^ly  built,  and  when 
King  Philip's  VV  ar  broke  out 
in  1()75  it  was  fortitied  and 
became  known  as  "Myles' 
(iarrison."  There  the  colo- 
nial forces  gathered  at  the 
first  outbreak  of  Indian  hos- 
tilities, and  the  pastor  ])e- 
c  a  m  e  foremost  in  the 
defense  of  the  settlement, 
and  was  chosen  captain. 
Having  done  valiant  service 
in  the  war.  he.  at  its  close, 
resumed  the  duties  of  a  coun- 
try clergyman.  His  son  Samuel  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1()S4,  and 
went  to  England  soon  after,  where  he  took  ortlers  in  the  English  church. 
Returning  to  Boston  hebeca  le  rector  of  King's  Chapel  in  KWl),  continuing 
in  this  position  for  twenty-nine  years.     Oxford  University  conferred  tho 


Cai'ITdi,  HiiLDiNci,  Boston.  Mass. 


I ; 


ti 


1    s 


■  d 


.i     ' 


22  I'EUSONAI.  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 

(lo^'ree  of  Master  of  Arts  upon  liini  in  KiOM.  My  ancestor  moved  from 
Massacliusetts  to  I'onifret,  Connecticiit.  Tlience  they  made  a  settlement 
at  vvluit  is  now  the  town  of  i'etersham  in  central  Massacliusetts,  when 
that  was  tiio  extreme  frontier.  Tliis  settlement  was  once  abandoned 
bf^cause  of  the  depredati()ns  of  the  Indians. 

My  i)aternal  ^randfatlier,  Joab,  and  great-|^'randfaHier.  Daniel,  were 
both  soldiers  of  tiie  Revolution,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Ijexinj^ton. 
liennin^ton,  and  many  others  of  the  principal  enj^agements.  passinj^ 
the  historic  winter  of  1777-7S  at  Valley  Forj^e.  and  were  present  at  the 
surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  Vorktovvn.  After  the  war  my  great-grand- 
father's patriotic  zeal  caused  him  to  convert  his  entire  pr()j)erty  into  c<>n- 
tinental  money,  and  he  was  e'  entually  impoverished  thereby  through  the 
repudiation  by  the  government  of  this  currency,  which  was  a  loss  of  what 
would  have  amounted  by  this  time,  with  accumulated  interest,  to  several 
millions  of  dollars.  I  have  often  heard  my  father  tell  of  the  experiences 
of  his  father  and  grandfatlier,  as  related  above,  of  their  sudden  departure 
for  the  Held,  and  of  the  hardships  and  dangers  encountered  by  them  and 
their  comrades. 

My  father,  Daniel  Miles,  was  born  at  Petersham,  but  moved  in  early 
manhood  to  Westminster,  ir  the  same  county  (Worcester)  in  the  State 
of  Massachusetts,  where  lie  engaged  in  farming  and  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. Here  i  was  born,  and  here  my  youthful  companions  and  myself 
were  wont  to  illustrate  in  play  the  doings  of  our  ancestors.  Some  of  the 
boys  were  necessarily  assigned  to  play  the  part  of  the  odious  Britisher, 
the  bloodthirsty  Indian  or  the  unfortunate  Mexican,  and  these  were  in- 
variably defeated  in  the  desperate  encounter  and  put  to  ignominious  rout. 

My  mother,  Mary  Curtis,  possessed  traits  of  character  similar  to  those  of 
my  father  and  excelled  in  those  which  most  adorn  womanhood.  It  is  not 
jtossible  to  adequately  express  my  sense  of  obligation  for  her  devotion.  She 
was  a  true  Christian ;  never  was  one  more  earnestly  prayed  for  during 
childhood  and  manhood,  during  peace  and  war  than  myself.  It  was  her 
loftiest  ambition  to  guide  her  children  by  good  example,  pure  thought, 
upright  and  praiseworthy  life  to  honorable  and  noble  purpose.  To  her  un- 
selfish devotion,  her  gentle  and  loving  admonitions  am  I  greatly  indebted 
for  whatever  there  may  be  in  me  that  is  commendable. 

My  mother  was  a  direct  descendant  of  William  Curtis  who  arrived  in 
Boston  on  the  ship  "Lyon."  September  16,  1632. 

The  rural  home  to  which  I  have  referred  was  situated  near  Wachu- 
sett    Mountain,   about  fifty   miles    from   Boston,   Massachusetts,  in  the 


to 

■ 


•,-\] 


(iKNKIJAL  NKLSON  A.   MILKS. 


23 


moved  from 

H  sett  lenient 

lusetts.  vvlieii 

;e  al)iui(l()ned 

Daniel,  were 
>t"  Lexinjjfton. 
ents.  pussiii^r 

'sent  at  tlie 
great -grand- 
rty  into  con- 
throngli  tile 
loss  of  what 
st,  to  several 
i  experiences 
'n  departure 
)y  them  and 

ed  in  early 
n  the  State 
Limber  busi- 
and  myself 
>ome  of  the 
s  Britisher, 
se  were  in- 
nious  rout, 
to  those  of 
.    It  is  not 
tion.     She 
or  during 
t  was  her 
|e  thought, 
'o  her  un- 
indebted 

irrived  in 

Wachu- 

?,  in   the 


town  of  Westminster.  Worcester  County.  The  scenery  was  pictur- 
es(|iie,  and  the  climate  exhilarating.  Hill,  valley,  forest,  stream  and 
the  cultivated  farm  variegated  the  landscape.  Ivjuallv  reinov<Ml  from  pov- 
erty and  wealth,  surrounded  by  an  atmos[)here  of  contentment  and  alTec- 
tion,  the  early  years  of  my  life  were  passed.  I  attended  tlu^  district  school, 
participating  in  the  sports  and  pastimes  customary  in  those  days  among 
Itoys  of  the  rural  districts.  I  also  took  my  full  share  in  the  oc<'Upations 
incident  to  life  on  a  New  England  farm.  In  due  time  I  passed  from  the 
district  school,  and  entered  upon  a  course  in  the  academy  taught  by  Mr. 
John  U.  Ualt,  then  an  eminent  educator. 

Such  was  the  simple  course  of  my  boyhood.  Ihit  this  l)rief  resume  of 
my  early  life  would  not  be  complete  did  I  fail  to  mention  one  other  fea- 
ture of  t\nue  days,  which,  however  unimportant  in  itself,  had  a  powerful 
influence  in  shaping  the  course  of  my  future  life,  1  refer  to  the  tales 
told  around  the  evening  fireside.  The  visits  from  and  to  relatives  and 
friends  were  tmpient.  and  the  traditionary  lore  discussed  on  such  occa- 
sions was  to  me  of  exhaustless  and  absorbing  interest.  There  I  tii'st 
learned  that  my  ancestors  had  been  conspicuous  always  in  their  day  and 
generation  for  good  example  and  lofty  patriotism.  Thus  1  naturally  im- 
bibed, if  indeed  the  tendency  was  not  an  inherited  one.  a  decided  inclina- 
tion toward  the  military  profession.  However,  as  there  was  no  oppor- 
tunity then  apparent  for  me  to  follow  this  course  of  life,  when  I  was 
sixteen  years  of  age  I  concluded  to  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and 
thereby  acquire  a  business  education.  This  took  me  to  the  city  of  Bos- 
ton, and  to  an  occupation  which  was  not  wholly  congenial  to  my  taste, 
or  consonant  with  my  ambition,  yet  I  hoped  that  in  the  line  1  had 
adopted  I  might  at  least  follow  in  the  footsteps,  if  I  could  not  ecpial  in 
accomplishment  the  nol)le  examples,  of  such  men  as  had  adorned  the  his- 
tory of  the  old  Bay  State;  and  I  further  cherished  the  hope  that,  should 
an  occasion  occur,  I  would  be  enabled  to  follow  the  exanii»le  of  my 
ancestors  in  serving  my  country,  though  I  little  dreamed  that  such  a  de- 
mand would  so  soon  be  made  upon  the  strong  and  i)atriotic  young  men 
of  my  own  time. 

Soon  the  signs  of  the  time  became  ominous.  During  the  five  years 
1  lived  in  Boston  the  country  was  passing  through  the  most  heated  and 
acrimonious  controversy  in  our  national  history.  The  public  temper 
finally  became  heated  to  a  degree  hardly  conceivable  to  the  younger  gen- 
eration of  to-day.  What  was  known  as  the  Kansas  Border  War,  and  a 
little  later  the  ill-advised  attempt  of  John  Brown  at  Harper's  Ferry,  were 


,' 


i 


')'( 


I 'I 


24 


«VMi|)foijiN  of  the  fo 


'•KI^SOXAf.  ifKCor. 


^^'(TfOXs  OF 


iiiid 


"  "Jis  Jipproucli 


^•(^nsl,  coMdifi,,,,  uf  t\ 


"'  '»'>«l.v  polifi 


'!»'  time     Tl,„  r .'  ,    '"'  "'<'  <>"*'-«„w  „f  d,;    .     ■/        "'"•»a,sii,,.vi,. 

""  - " """ ■  '—"=' ssis  !;£r'" ' 


I\r.'    ,  D"C-*'- 


"*«! 


UENKiJAI,  NKI.SON  A.  .MILES. 


Zk) 


political  toi- 
'«"'  was  iiicvit- 
"♦ii^'oiiisiii  ,,|' 
•^tcanicst  and 
"'•'♦in^'  iiitrr- 
■  timt  in  flu. 

^Ih'  niaintc- 
msiniftctl   to 

iH'h  thon^rlit 
t^^  as  I  could 
•  the  day  (»f 
or  rcndcrinL' 
'^  nnicli  time 
estions  then 
I'e  Ix'inj;  os- 
LMit  of  their 
f^auie  time 
iU'.V  lustory, 

'  under  the 
tlie  time  I 

"  niilitaj-y 
iiiiand  and 

lier  in  all 

iNtrnction 
and  last, 

iiniher  of 

nts. 


1 

i 


^^ 


CHAITIIU   II. 

ThK  (JkKAT  CiVlL   Wak. 

I'lIK    (}rKSTt(lN»     .AT   TmHI-K  —  Kl.KfTlMS    ur    AliiMIIVM      Ll\('nl,\  —  ( i  KMMl  A  I,    ScnTT  —  ( )nnKllV  VTIuNM 
|{KI.\Tt\(l     TO     TIIK     \V  Ul—  |{  AIHI.\(i     \     CnMI-.NNV    KnltTIIK    CmhN     SlKVICI:  —  Ki.IMTKH 

.\M>   (;<i>rMrMsic.M:i>    (Vm-tain  —  Taki:h   tiii:    Kiki.k   as    Kihmt  |,iki  th\  \\r - 

I)i;tmi.i:ii  to  Staki'  Dt  tv  — Vaiiiui  s  I'ii.>M(.ii..sm— Tin;  Simcnd  Aumv 

CoKi'w  —  Tin:  (iuAM)  l{i  I'duii  iih  Tin:  Aumv  ui-tiii:  I'otumai'. 

Ill'i  K»'^'»tt  ^'ivil  War,  last in<;  for  four  lon«,'  years,  drenched  the 

soil  witii  the  best  hlood  of  our  people.     It  shadowed  nearly 

every  household  of  onr  land  with  the  drapery  of  mourning'. 

The  passions  and  prejudices  en^'endered  by  the  protracted 

'    and  bitter  stru^'^de  have,  with  the  lapse  of  time,  in  a  lar^n^ 

n)easure  subsided,  and  as  the  years  roll  on  are  surely  th(>u^di 

^n-adually  passing'  away  from  the  hearts  of  men.     The  anta^'- 

onistic  idtnis  which  contended  so  strenuously  for  the  nuistery, 

iiud  from  which  were  kindled  the  Hames  of  conflict,  are  now 

better  understood,  are  more  clearly  barmonized  l)y  a  mutual  yieldin*;  of 

extreme  views,  and  their  influence  lias  less  eit'ect  ilum  ever  before  upon 

the  j^jeneral  welfare  of  the  whole  people. 

The  character  of  that  war  was  so  extraordinary,  the  issue  at  stake  so 
important  and  the  results,  while  far-reachin<;  and  beneticent  to  all  man- 
kind, affected  so  directly  and  es[)ecially  the  destiny  of  our  jjfreat  undevel- 
oped West,  that  a  brief  review  of  those  issues  and  results  would  seeui 
appropriate  before  proceeding  to  the  chief  topics  of  this  volume. 

The  first  and  ji^reat  (|uesti(m  at  issue  between  the  contending  [tarties 
was  whether  the  republic  (•(►uld  be  dissolved  by  the  action  of  one  State  or 
of  a  number  of  States,  or  whether  it  had  the  capacity  to  endure;  whethei-. 
in  fact,  it  had  the  inherent  ri^lit  and  power  of  self-pi-eservation.  There 
was  no  question  as  to  the  power  of  the  Federal  (iovernment  when  wielded 
at^ainst  forei«j;n  aggression,  but  l)()th  its  legal  right  and  its  actual  power  to 
quell  internal  dissension  and  hostility — especially  when  such  lujstility  was 
assumed  and  supported  by  a  State  or  a  confederation  of  States — were  still 
to  be  established.  This  question  had  from  time  to  time  since  the  forma- 
tion of  our  government  absorbed  the  serious  attention  of  the  people,  and 


r\ 


f   ■  I  ■; 


2(; 


I'KKSONAL   |;K('()M, ACTIONS   OF 


had  ni^M^'cd  the  hcst  tlMni^ht  of  our  most  ciiiiiKMit  stat<'siiHMi.  ('los(>ly 
coiiiicctcd  with  this  (|ii('stion  in  om-  political  history  was  the  h>ii^'  <'oii- 
teiitioii  o\(M'  the  cxislciicc  or  cxtciisioii  of  the  institution  of  hnnian 
shivery. 

No  political  parly  had  pi'oclainicd  any  intention  of  intci-fcrin^'  with  the 
lahoi"  system  of  any  Stat«'.  The  inipoi'tant  «piest  ion  was  as  to  the  fnt  nre 
status  (d' lahoi- in  onr  ^n'eat  WCsteiMi  domain,  then  unsettled  and  unorgan- 
ized;  and  this  was  the  (piestion  which  ai'onsed  tin'  liercest  political  c«»ntro- 
versy  and  the  bitterest  peisonal  animosity. 

Acrimonious  and  heate(!  discussions  in  the  pi-ess  an<l  in  tlu»  halls  of 
ie^Mslation.  had  inflamed  the  passions  and  prejudices  of  the  people  until  a 
peacealile  solut  ion  of  the  (pu'stions  at  issue  tinally  became  impossible. 
The  storm  clouds  whi(dj  had  been  ^sitherinj^'  for  yeai's  at  last  burst  forth 
in  devastatin;::  fury  in  iStil.  Tlu>  election  to  the  presidenc\ of  .\bi"ahain 
L'!'''.»ln  in  lS(iO.  upon  a  platform  oppos(»d  to  the  further  extension  of  slav- 
er; ,  Ails  the  immediate  occasion  oi-  excuse  for  the  war.  Manu'st  etTorts  for 
the  preservation  of  peace  and  unity  wer(^  made  by  patriotic  men,  both 
North  and  Smith,  but  without  avail,  lieason.  ar«;ument,  fraternal  ties, 
the  memoi"ie>  of  a  common  and  <^hn'i(ms  iiistory.  were  all  swept  aside.  A 
lew  may  have  been  actuated  by  political  and  militaiT  ambition,  and  othei' 
s"ilish  motives,  but  it  is  certain  that  the  nnisses  of  our  people  on  both 
sith^s  beliexed  themselves  to  be  contendin;^  foi'  a  princi[>le  ( lu'  ^reat  ([ues- 
tion  of  the  un>ral  ri^ht  or  wronjj;  of  Inunan  slavery. 

Muring  these  Ion*?  yeai's  of  lierce  and  incessant  strife,  throu^di  the 
storm  there  stood  at  the  helm  of  the  ship  of  state  a  man  of  the  i)eopIe. 
yet  a  most  uiu'ommon  man,  patriotic,  calm,  persistent,  unmoved  i)y 
i'lamor.  tender-lunirted  as  a  wonuin.  yet  an  intellectual  ^iant,  and  wit!)  a 
devotion  :v  his  trust  nev(M'  surpassed  in  the  iiistory  of  the  human  race, 
Abraham  liincoln  is  forever  embalmed  in  the  loving'  ^'vatitude  of  the  .Aukm'- 
ican  people,  -iiid  \\\o  siMitiment  is  not  bounded  by  partisan  or  sectional 
lines. 

Side  by  side  with  Aoraham  Lincoln  in  the  early  (hiys  of  the  ^'r(^at  war 
stood  )iir  mitst  a(  co;'<])lislied  and  distin^iiislie<l  <feneral,  tli(»  iiero  of  two 
forei^^ni  wars.  To  these  two  men,  one  born  in  KcMitucky.  tli(»  other  in  Vir- 
^Mni;i  ;\braliani  liincoln  and  liieut(Miaiit-(i(Mieral  Wintield  Scott — more 
than  U)  any  others,  .\inericans  of  that  ci'itical  time,  as  well  as  the  sinenty 
millions  of  to-day  and  the  nnnmnbered  millions  of  the  future,  are  in- 
debted for  the  salvation  of  their  republic  and  the  preservation  of  a  free 
«,M)vernineiit. 


MMi.     Closely 
lie  Nm^'  ('(»ii- 

II      of      lllllllilll 


iii^'  wifli  (he 
<>  the  future 


lui 
tie; 


iiiior^rj,,,. 

ll   «'()Mt  |-<)- 


tlie  hiills  of 
'<»j>le  until  a 

imj»(>ssil)le. 
^  liurst  forth 
►f  Ahralumi 
■*ioii  of  sla\  - 
<t  eft'orfs  for 

men,  hofli 


itei' 


Hill  ties. 


:i-<'at 


([ues- 


ii'on^'li   the 

le  i)e()i»le, 

moved    l>y 

iikI  wit! 


I  a 


man  race. 

tile  Amei-- 

sectional 


L'l-eat  war 
•<>  of  two 
I'r  in  \  ir- 
U — moi'<^ 
seventy 
iii-e  in- 
i>f  a  free 


i 


't  asi(l(>.     A         I 
1.  and  otiier  1 

I'h'  on   hot  I'  I 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN. 


ri;  ;: 


(til 


f  I 


i 

^'f^m 

1 

•aI 

1 

^ri 

i 

r* 

1, 

I   >  - 

■ 

i. 

GENEHAL  NELSON   A.   MILES. 


29 


From  the  spring  of  ISUl  until  that  of  \S{\')  there  was  waged  such  a  war 
as  mankind  had  never  before  witnessed.  The  best  bh)od  of  the  hind  was 
(Migaged  in  that  conflict.  The  tiower  of  our  youth  soon  formed  the  larg- 
est, most  intelligent  and  host  ecjuipped  armies  that  the  world  had  up  to 
that  time  seen.  During  all  those  four  years  the  contest  did  not  cease  for 
a  single  day.     it  was  a  death  grapple  of  giants. 

Somewhere,  along  a  battle-front  extending  from  the  Chesapeake  to  the 
upper  Kio  Urande  overland,  and  from  the  month  of  the  Hio  (Jrande  to  the 
Chesapeake  l)y  sea,  the  sound  of  Hying  bullets  marked  the  fleeting  mo- 
ments, and  the  l)oom  of  cannon  tolled  the  passing  hours. 

For  every  day  of  those  four  yean-  of  strife  there  was  ar  engagement, 
great  or  small,  which  brought  death  and  sorrow.  Fvery  other  interest 
was  oveisliadowed,  and  all  the  energies  of  both  combatants  were  strung 
to  the  utmost  tension,  a  tension  never  for  a  moment  relaxed  until  the 
final  close  at  Appomattox. 

The  inventive  American  genius  which  had  been  so  prolific  in  peaceful 
l>ursuits  was  turned  into  warlike  channels,  and  novel  inventions  and 
appliances  for  war  purposes  on  sea  and  land  were  introduced  and  ap- 
proved by  the  test  of  successful  trial.  Boys  from  the  field,  the  factory, 
the  counting  house  and  the  college  entered  the  ranks,  and  favored  by  the 
swiftly  changing  fortunes  of  war  many  ros^  by  their  own  merit  to  such 
leadership  as  elsewhere  could  only  have  been  gained  l)y  birth  and  inHn- 
ence,  or  by  long  years  of  unremitting  effort  combined  with  unusual  talent. 
This  war  w^as  in  many  respects  without  precedent.  The  world's  history  fur- 
nishes no  similar  record  of  so  gigantic  a  rebellion  suppressed,  nor  of  such 
a  vast  body  of  armed  men  subject  to  the  orders  of  a  single  commander. 
The  valor  and  devotion  of  the  American  soldier,  as  attested  by  the  appal- 
ling lists  of  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides,  are  the  common  heritage  of 
the  reunited  nation. 

That  feature  of  the  conflict  which  for  moral  grandeur  towers  above  all 
others  was  reserved  for  the  triumphant  close.  Never  before  were  com- 
plete victors  so  generous  to  the  vanquished.  The  highest  thouglit  of  the 
boasted  age  of  chivalry  was  now  immeasurably  surpassed  in  a  magnanimity 
to  defeated  foes  hitherto  unknown. 

It  was  my  fortune  to  take  part  in  that  memorable  struggle,  and  it  may 
not  be  amiss  for  me  briefly  to  allude  to  some  incidents  which  most  im- 
pressed themselves  upon  my  memory.  No  two  can  see  the  panorama  of 
the  war  alike,  for  each  sees  it  only  from  his  own  point  of  contact,  but  to 
each  who  survived,  it  was  a  schooling  for  all   his   future   life.     (General 


^ 

i 

■  \ 

i 

;! 

:i ' 

1 
'  1 

i 

' 

1 

!    1 

■1 

'  '   '   ! 

■:!   ' 


i^'ll'  n 


jj./i  -If  '•  ; 


; 


il 


m 


r} 


r- 


m 


PEHSOXAL  IfKCOIJ.ECTIOXS  OF 


Slieniiaii  has  said:  "The  best  school  of  war  is  war,"  and  he  might  have 
added  that  the  thoroii}j:h  discipline  of  the  military  service  is  always  a  most 
valuable  education  for  any  sphere  of  manly  occui>ation. 

Leaving  the  commercial  pnrsuits  upon  which  I  had  entered,  T  turned  my 
efforts  to  the  raising  of  a  company  of  volunteers.  A  number  of  public- 
spirited  men  called  a  public  meeting  in  the  Koxbury  district,  Boston,  and 

in  urging  the  enlistment  of  men    pledged  them- 
selves to  raise  a  fund  and  donate  a  portion  of  it  to 
each  member  of  the  company  as  they  should  volun- 
teer; this  fund,  when  so  desired,  to  go  to  the  benefit 
of  his  family.      In  the  expense  of  recruiting  this 
company  and  making  good  tothe  men  these  pledges 
which  had  not  been  entirely  fulfilled,   1 
expended  one  thousand  d()llars  that  my 
father  had  given  me,  and  twenty-five  hun- 
dred more  which  I  had  borrowed,  giving 
my  note  for  the  last.     With  the  aid  of 
others  1  succeeded  in  raising  a  tine  com- 
pany,   was    duly  chosen    captain,   was 
commissioned  as  such  by  the  governor 
of  the  State,   and  with  that  rank  was 
mustered  into   the    United   States  ser- 
vice.      Subsequently    the    governor 
claimed  that  on  account  of  my  youth, 
twenty-one    years,   I   should    accept  a 
lower  commission  and  yield  up  the  one 
1  held,  to  l)e  given  to  a  political  friend 
of  his.     To  this  1  of  course  demurred, 
but  on  the  evening  l)efore  the  regiment  left 
for  the  field,  the  governor  sent  his  adjutant- 


TvIKl   I'KNANT    MlT.r.S. 


general  to  me  with  a  first  lieutenant's  com 
mission,  and  with  directions  for  le  to  return 
the  captain's  commission  which  I  had  pre- 
viously received.  As  1  had  engaged  in  the 
service  against  the  enemies  of  my  countiy,  I  did  not  propose  to  a])andon 
that  service  to  engage  in  a  contest  with  the  governor  of  my  State,  how- 
ever just  my  cause,  though  1  certainly  regarded  the  position  he  had  taken 
as  unwarranted  and  harsh  in  the  extreme,  i.  therefore,  began  my  military 
service  as  a  captain  reduced  to  a  first  lieutenant,  in  the  Twenty-second 


!  f 


GENERAL  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


ni 


; 


"4 


Kegiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  organized  and  first  eonnnanded 
by  Colonel  Henry  Wilson,  afterward  Vice-l'resident  of  the  I'nited  States. 
Hefore  leaving  for  Washington,  in  Sei>tenil)er  1S()1,  the  regiment  was 
paraded  on  Boston  Common  and  presented  with  a  Hag  at  the  hands  of 
lion.  Hohert  VV'inthrop.  at  that  time  the  oldest  living  lv\-Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  and  lately  deceased.  In  receivingthe  Hag  Colonel 
Wilson  acknowledged  the  gift  by  an  elociuent  speech  which  created  the 
greatest  enthusiasm,  closing  with  these  words: 

••  \W  hope  that  when  this  contest  shall  close,  the  unity  of  the  republic  will  he  assured 
and  the  cause  of  repuhlii-aii  institutions  in  Anu'rica  established  evermore.  We  go  forth, 
sir.  in  that  spirit  to  do  our  duty,  cheered  with  the  conlidence  and  a]i|trobation  of  our  friends 
in  .Massachusetts.  And  may  Ciod  in  his  providence  o'rant  that  by  no  act  of  oui-s  we  shall 
lose  that  coiilitlence  and  ap|)rol)ation."* 

After  serving  for  a  short  time  with  the  regiment  1  was  detailed  for  staff 
duty  as  aide-de-camp,  and  afterward  as  assistant  adjutant-general  of  a 
brigade.  On  the  I^lst  of  May,  lsr)2,  on  the  recommendation  of  that  dis- 
tinguished soldier,  (Jeneral  Francis  C.  Barlow,  I  was 
appointed  lieutenant-colonel  of  his  regiment,  the  Sixty- 
tirst  New^  York  Volunteers,  by  (lovernor  E.  D.  Morgan, 
and  on  September  80,  of  the  same  year,  was  com- 
missioned by  (Jovernor  Morgan  to  the  colonelcy  of  the 
sauie  regiment,  to  Hll  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
promotion  of  Colonel  Barlow  to  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
general.  On  the  12th  of  May,  1S()4,  I  was  promoted 
to  brigadier-general ;  on  the  2'>tli  of  A  ugust 
the  same  year  1  received  the  brevet  of  major- 
general,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major- 
general  of  volunteers  the  following  year. 

Among  the  incidents  of  my  early  service  in 
the  army  which  impressed  themselves  indeli- 
bly upon  my  memory,  were  those  attending  the 
organization  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  under 
General  George  B.  McClellan  ;  the  crossing  of 
the  Rappahannock  ;  the  return  to  Alexandria ; 
the  embarkation  in  transports  and  debarkation 
at  Fort  Monroe ;  the  advance  up  the  Peninsula 
until  face  to  face  with  the  enemy  under  (ieneral  Magruder  in  his  line  of 
fortitications  near  Yorktown,  Virginia,  stretching  from  the  James  to  the 
York  River.     I  remember  that  this  movement  occasioned  the  comment 


1  ■  n 


m 


'I 


i     i    :' 


ill 


r:  ■(, 


■i.  ;f'!i: 


'r:! 'JH' 


I' Iff 


"^ r-    irnuuuiigi.. 


TKIiSONAI-  l{K(M)IJ.b:CTI()XS  OF 


;?"!' 


IWii 


at  the  tiino.  evon  amoii^  the  youii<jf  volunteers,  that  tlie  itrin(ii)al  army  of 

tlie  nation  should  not  be  risked  upon  the  point  of  a  peninsuUi  witli  an  army 

intrenched  in  its  front,  its  base  surrounded  by  water  and  guarded  by  only 

that  little  Monitor,  'i'his  vessel  had  been  furnished 
by  the  jj^enius  of  Ericsson  and  the  patriotism  of 
himself  and  Messrs.  liushnell,  (Jrisvvold  and  Win- 
throp.  at  their  own  expense,  as  a  defense  against  the 
formidable  Merrinuic,  the  then  terror  of  the  seas, 
whose  powers  were  not  exhausted  until  she  had  been 
blown  up  by  her  own  men  after  Norfolk  had  been 
captured  by  (Jeneral  Wool,  and  (leneral 
Magruder's  army  was  in  retreat  uj)  the 
Peninsula,  followed  by  McClelland.  I 
recall  the  tierce  battle  of  Williamsburg, 
the  terrible  l)attles  of  Seven  Pines.  Fair 
Oaks,  in  which  I  was  wounded.  (Jaines 
Mills,  Savage  Station,  White  Oak  Swamp, 
Nelson's  Farm  and  Malvern  Hill.  In 
the  last  a  most  important,  desperate  and 
decisive  battle  was  fought,  though  the 
legitimate  advantages  of  the  victory 
were  not  realized,  as  our  army  was  im- 
mediately ordered   down  to  Harrison's 

Landing  on  the  James  River,  where  it  remained  for  several   months.     T 

also  remember  the  recall  of  our  army  from  the  James 

River  back  again  to  Alexandiia,  and  its  advance  during 

what  is  known  as  Pope's  Campaign,  or  the  battles  of  Cedar 

Mountain,  the  second  Manassas  and  Chantilly.     Then 

followed  the  advance  of  Lee's  army  into  Maryland  and 

the  battles  of  South  Mountain  and  Antietam,  suc- 
ceeded by  McClellan's  advance  again  to  Warrenton, 

Virginia.     Then  (Jeneral  Burnside's  disastrous  battle 

of  Fredericksburg,  December  18,  LS()2,  where  I  was 

seriously  wounded,  was  followed  by  the  opening  of 

the  campaign  of  LS()3  in  the  hercely-contested  but 

disastrous  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  under  General 

Hooker.     In  the  retreat  from  Chancellorsville  the  Ma 

Union  army  lost  a  most  important  battle,  and  the 

Confederate  army  achieved  a  great  victory  ;  yet  their  loss  was  greater  than 


fe^.  5    ^^^^Lezc.U£^ 


(ik-(}i:nkr.\i.    Fkaxcms  8. 
Haki.dw. 


ours.  f(l 
!  was  t| 

be  out  (I 
niand  i! 
I'ennsNJ 
was  or}| 
other 
great  si 
the  Pot| 
Meade 
burg. 

Lat< 
Army  I 
of  the  a 
l)aigno 
burg  ai 
sixty 
Army 
l)laced 
took  pai 
(.f  1S{)5. 
I  nth 
mand  C( 
the  Sixt 
of  a  bri 
last  twc 
Divisioi 
Corps; 
(luring  1 
commai 
the  firs 
first  CO 
in  succ( 
Mott, 
as  stat( 
It  i 
than    d 
Other  tj 
are  to 


A 


!     S. 


: 


1 


(iENKIJAI.  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 

ours,  for  it  includod  that  {jfonius 
!  was  terribly,  then  supposed  to 
he  out  of  tile  tield  for  a  time.     Ik' 
unind  in  tiie  tiehl,  I  orj^anized  a 
I'ennsylvania  to  aid  in  cliecking 
was  organized  at  Huntingdon  on 
otlier   like  forces,  were  not  requ 
^vent  stru^^le  and  victoi'y  of*  the 
the  Potonuie  under  ^lajor-tlener 
Meade  over  Lee's  exultant  army 
hurj,'. 

Later  1  was  able  to  return  to  the  Second 
Army  Corps  and  take  part  in  the  campaign 
of  the  autumn  of  ISOJJ,  and  the  terrible  cam- 
paign of  1S(>4  from  the  Wilderness  to  iVters- 
burg  and   Richmond,  in    which  more   than 
sixty    thousand    men    of    the 
Army   of  the    Potomac    were 
placed  hors  i/c  coni/xif.     1  also 
took  part  in  the  final  campaign 
of  18()5. 

In  these  campaigns  my  com- 
mand consisted  of  a  regiment, 
the  Sixty-first  New  York,  then 
of  a  brigade,  and  during  the 
last  two  campaigns,  of  the  first 
Division  of  the  Second  Army 
Corps;  also,  for  a  short  time 
during  February,  1S()5, 1  was  in 

command  of  the  Second  Army  Corps.  The  chances  of  war  cast  my  lot  fiom 
the  first  with  this  organization,  the  Second  Army  Corps,  organized  and 
first  commanded  by  the  veteran  Major-(Jeneral  Sumner,  and  afterward 
in  succession  by  Major-Cenerals  Couch,  Hancock,  Sedgwick,  French.  Hayes, 
Mott,  Barlow.  Caldwell.  Humphreys,  and  for  a  l)rief  period  by  myself, 
as  stated. 

It  inscril)ed  a  greater  number  of  engagements  upon  its  l)anners 
than  did  any  other  corps  of  the  army,  and  1  think,  more  than  any 
other  army-corps  in  the  history  of  the  world.  The  graves  of  its  fallen 
are  to  be  found  on  every  battle-field  of  the  Arniv  of  the  Potomac  from 


(iKXKKAI,    AVlNTIKI.I)    S.     IIaNH'DCK. 


it' 


4 


'Hi  ■ 


;il 


l'KI{S()\.\L   ifKCOl.l.KC'I'IONS  OK 


the  (late  (if  its  (»r;iiiiiiziit ion  t(»  .\|t|Mniiiitto\.  The  ItattN'-fhi^'-s  it  ('ai)tiinMl 
(Hitiiiiiiilt(MT(l  its  rii^ii<,'('iiu'nts.  As  the  war  toi'  the  I  iii<iii  was  impi-rr- 
cdciitcd  ill  tlir  history  of  the  world,  so  tli«'  history  of  the  Second  Ariii\ 
Corps  was  iiiiprcciMh'iitcd  in  that  war.  Its  a^'^n'c^^'atc  wounded  and 
killed  in  haft  le  exceeded  in  nnnilier  that  of  aii.\  other  coi-ps.  The  greatest 
a^'j/reirate  of  killed  an<l  wounded  in  any  di\ision  of  the  army  was  in 
the  h'irst  Division  of  that  coi'ps.  and  the  hi;^diest  a^'i;re;^'ate  of  killed  and 
wounded  in  any  one  rej^Minent  of  the  whole  ariii.x  was  in  a  reuiinent  Ixdoii;.^- 
iii«_f  to  the  Second  Corps.  The  larj^'est  pei'ceiita;j('  of  killed  and  wounded  in 
a  siii;j,le  eiipi<i(>inent  in  aii.\  one  i"e<;inieiit  was  in  a  re;^niiieiit  Ixdon^^in^'  to 
the  Second  Corps.  The  second  hi^diest  perceiita;^*'  of  i"e;^nnientai  l<>ss  hy 
death  and  wounds  was  also  in  a  re^'iinent  of  that  corps.''  .\s  t(>  the  suc- 
cesses aiul  achievements  of  that  famous  corps,  they  are  indicated  hy  the  fact 
that  //  i((j)liii(il  III  (I  simile  ihiij  lis  iiiiiii//  /iiiff/r-j/iii/s,  ciiiniini  niid  iirismirrs  of' 
f/if  riiiiill/  lis  il  hisf  ill  the  nifii'c Jniir  i/niis  n/  iliir. 

SpeakiiiLT  <>f  this  coi'ps.  Majoi'-Ceiieral  W  inlield  S.  Hancock  says  in  a 
letter  dat(>d  in  Aii^iiist.  JSIU.  hefoi'e  I'etershnr^.  \  irj^'inia,  and  addressed  to 
Lieiitenant-(  Jeiieral  Craiit : 

••It  is  I  If  rl  laps  known  to  ymi  t'liit  this  coriis  liad  ncvfi'  lost  a  culoi-  or  a  i;iiii  |ii't'\  ions  to 
this  (•ain|iaii,''n.  tlionyh  (it'tcncr  and  nioft  Ifspcratcly  cni^ao'cd  than  aii\'  otlirr  corns  in  this 
arni\'.  or  ncrhaiis  in  an\  other  in  the  conntrN'.  I  have  not  the  means  of  knowint^'  exaetU' 
llie  nninlx'r  of  oiins  and  eohu's  I'aptiired.  hnt  I  saw  inysell'  nine  in  the  hands  of  one 
division  at  Antietani.  and  the  ojlicial  reports  sliow  that  tliirty-fonr  fell  into  tlie  hands  of 
tliat  corps  at  Cu'ttvshuro-.  liefore  the  opening'  of  this  campaign  it  had  at  h'ast  captnred 
over  half  a  hnndred  cohirs.  thonoli  at  cost  of  over  twenty  five  thonsand  ('jr).(MM>)  casualties. 
I  )urino"  this  caiii|iaiori  \(ni  can  jndo'c  how  well  the  corjis  lias  performed  its  iiart.  It  has 
captured  more  muhs  and  colors  tlian  all  the  rest  of  the  army  conihined.  Its  re\t'rses  haxc 
not  heeti  manv.  and  tliev  Ix'o'an  only  when  the  corjis  had  dwindled  to  a  remnant  of  its 
former  str'iii^th  ;  after  it  had  lost  twent  v-li\t'  lirio-ade  i-oMnnanders  and  over  one  hundred 
and  tweinv-tive  reo;iiiiental  commanders,  and  over  twenty  thousand  men." 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  jirohahly  on<;a^'ed  in  as  many  desperate 
battles  as  any  army  evei-  was  in  the  liistory  of  the  world.  The  map  of  the 
country  between  (iettyshnrJ,^  I'ennsylvania,  and  Appomattox.  Virj;iina,  is 
red  with  the  crimson  sjiots  that  indicate  its  history.  That  army  was 
chai-<i(Hl  with  tlie  <rrave  double  res})onsibility  of  ])rote('tin<;  the  national 
capital,  and  of  capturing'  tlu^  capital  of  the  Confederacy.  It  was  furthei- 
char<i(Ml  witli  the  destruction  or  capture  of  the  .\rmy  of  Northern  Vir^nnia. 
eommanded  by  one  of  the  ablest  of  generals.    K'obert  Iv  Lee.  seconded  l)y 


*Sfc  Kf;:imciitnl  Ii 


ill  the  "  Aiiurjciiii  Civil  W:ir.  |m;1-1m'i5,"  by  l.t.Cnl.  Win.  V.  Kox,  panes  I'.T  aiui  11.''). 


al 

a, 
>v 


< 

z 
< 
> 

> 

(!> 

I- 
t- 

o 

Q. 
05 


< 
CO 


IHw; 


'  fill 


m 


■I 


.fi. 


;  i 


it'L 


.     I  !,. 


J-  I 


(JKNKIJAL  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


:{7 


tliat  tliiinclorholt  of  war,  "St<»in'\v}ill"  .Isickson.  All  thoso  tasks  tlio  Army  of 
llir  Potomac  accomplisluHl.  The  inimlK'ramI  (l<'S|K'nit<' character  of  its  cii- 
coiintcrs  may  he  illustrated  hy  the  history  of  the  siii;^'le  corps  of  tiiat  army 
already  mentioned.  Its  personnel  were  larj^'ely  volunteers  who  had  heen 
(|uick  to  ott'er  up  their  lives  for  the  preser\»ation  of  the  I'nion.  Knowing 
the  value   of    military   discii»line   they   a<'cepted    without    complaint    its 


exl  remest  re(|Uirements. 


Tl 


lis  e 


xpl 


th 


aiiis  The  im 


itchl 


ess  fortitude  displayed 


hy  that  army  throu^di  the  loiij^  and  tryinj;  years  of  the  war,  much  of  the 
time  siitterin^  under  reverses  and  disasters  that  would  hav(^  destroyed  the 


IHi 


tidir  of  anv  arniv  com 


|>os(  d  of  less  choice  material.  And  of  the  same 
choice  material  were  the  entire  national  forc«»s  composed.  While  heroic 
sacrifices  were  made  hy  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  other  armies  and  fleets 
were  with  similar  devotion  en^'a^'ed  in  the  same  nohle  «*ause. 

The  Army  of  the  I'nion  was,  in  fact.  "  The  People  in  Arms."  It  mirrore<| 
all  the  diversified  oi»inioiis  and  pursuits  of  a  free  and  intelli^'ent  democracy. 
The  force  that  called  it  together  was  the  same  spirit  that  had  made  a 
"•government  of  the  people"  ijossihle.  Love  of  adventure  may  have  had 
its  natural  influence  in  stimulating  enlistment,  hut  the  ranks  were,  never- 
theless, largely  tilled  with  youth,  who  had  no  love  for  war.  hut  who  left 
their  homes  and  the  pursuits  of  peace  that  the  Nation  might  not  perish. 
To  the  large  niimher  of  young  men  is  to  he  attrihuted  much  of  the  lio[)eful 
sjjirit  always  manifested  hy  the  army  in  adversity.  Though  often  hatHed 
hy  costly  and  disheartening  reverses,  though  changing  commanders  often, 
especially  in  the  east,  it  never  lost  its  discipline,  its  high  spirit,  and  its  cou- 
tidence  in  final  success. 


'  hS 


M— :i 


!  i 


!  'il 


88 


I'KUSONAI,  UKroLLKlTIONS  OK 


(•||.\ITi:i{    III. 

liAST    ScKNKS    OK    TIIK    (lUKAT    WaR. 

HaI'TI.K    ok    N  \SIIV!I.I.I:  —    M  MKIIIM;    'rilllnl  (ill    (illultlin    —    I'lVi:    KhUKS  —  Sl'ciUMIMi  TIIK    \V(lltK!4 

AT    I'KTKIINIIIIK*  —  Km, I,    n|'    Ku'llMnM)   —    SciONKM     IN    I'aMI'   —  ( "i  HtUKSI'l  INDKNCK    lU'.TWKKN 

TIIK      Two      CiiMM  WKKIIM    —    A  I'l'uM  ATTi  "V    —   Jiiv      nr      T|||.;       Sul.lHKUS    —    |)|:\T1I 

UK       Tin:       I'llKSIllKNT     —    WllVT       U' K       WnV,     AM>      ('c  )NMi;nr  KNCKS       <IK 

Kaii.iuk  —  Tim:       Aumv       I>isii\miki>  —  AiTimu'w      Ar- 

I'cilNTMIlNT       \S      ("ill.oNKI,      AMI     HltKVKT      MaHHI- 
(iKNI'ltAI.         I'MrKD       Si'ATKS  AUMY. 

UK  spring'  of  ISC)")  witiiessod  the  final  scones  in  tiiis  prosit 
(iniina  of  war  wiicre  tlie  staj^e  was  a  continent,  and  tiio  whole 
world  the  andience.  The  "  I{o<'k  of  Chickamanj^a."  (leneral 
(Jeoi'f^e  II.  Thomas,  had  annihilated  the  o[)i)osinj^  forces  on  the 
ice-covered  fields  of  Nashville,  and  Sherman's  victorious  army 
had  swept  from  Atlanta  to  th<^  .sea,  and  was  taking  the  South 
Atlantic  defenses  in  reverse  hy  its  onward  nuirch  toward  the 
North.  The  success  of  Sheridan  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  had 
enahled  him  to  return  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  had  been  temporarily 
detached,  to  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  and  to  move  with  liis  cavalry 
corps  to  the  left  of  the  line  confrontinjj;  I'etersburjjf.  The  line  of  battle 
confronting  the  Army  of  Northern  N'ir^inia  under  (Jeneral  Uol)ert  E.  Lee, 
stretched  from  the  north  side  of  the  .lames  Kiver,  northeast  of  Kichmond, 
to  the  south  side  of  Apponuittox  near  Five  Forks,  south  of  Petersburti^, 
more  than  thirty  miles.  The  troops  on  the  north  side  of  the  James  Hiver, 
immediately  in  front  of  Kichmond,  were  under  the  command  of  Major- 
Ueneral  F.  0.  C\  Ord ;  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  under  Major-tieneral 
(ieorjj^e  (J.  Meade.  occui)ied  the  center,  and  the  cavalry  under  Sheridan 
the  extreme  left ;  all  under  (Jeneral  I'lysses  S.  (irant,  commanding  all 
the  armies. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  ade(|uately  describe  the  closinjj;  scenes  of 
this  historic  conflict.  There  w  is  a  j;eneral  advance  ordered  along  our 
entire  line,  and  the  extending  of  the  line  to  the  left,  with  Sheridan's 
cavalry  reinforced  by  the  Fifth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  under 
Major-( Jeneral  Warren,  resulted  in  a  victory  for  us  in   the  engagement 

The  following  morning  the  entire  line  of 


at  Five  Forks.  April  1.  ISIir). 


1 


(JKNKK'AI,  NKI.SON   A.   Mll.hX 


;iu 


liiittN'  assaiiltiMl  tlio  (MHMiiv's  works,  swrpt  ovrr  tli«^  fort iticat ions  <»r 
IN>t«M'sl)Ui>;  and  lti<'liinoiMl.  and  tli«>  national  tla^' at  last  tloatod  ovn-  tlit> 
capital  and  stronj^dioid  of  tlio  ConlVdrracy.  From  that  point  to  Appo- 
mattox Court  llous(«  was  ainiostone  continiioiis  liattlclirld.  tli«»  pursuers 
iittackinj^  tin'  rrtrcatiiiir  mnny  wlwrrvrr  ovrrtakrn.  Anyone  who  lias 
witnessed  a  tornado,  or  a  violent  storm  at  sea  or  on  the  ^'resit  lakes,  wheie 
the  sturdy  ships  have  been  swei>t  hefore  the  eontinuous  and  incessant 
fury  of  the  storm,  every  safe^aiard  broken  down,  their  anchors  dra^^in^', 
and  'iverythin^  swept  hefore  the  destnjyinjx  power,  imiy  form  some  i<lea 
of  cho  resistlessness  with  which  a  hundred  thousand  men  in  pra<'tically 
oil"  continuous  line  with  reserves,  swept  over  fortifications,  capturing 
many  forts  and  two  j^reat  cities,  and  pressed  on  in  one  unhrok<Mi  front. 

It  was  a  front  whicli  hla/ed  and  thundered  shot  ant!  shell,  hailed  iron 
and  lead,  which  was  nuirked  hy  the  smoke  and  roar  of  its  line  of  advan- 
<'ing  batteries.  The  shouts  of  its  victorious  hosts  swelled  on  the  gale, 
while  the  moans  of  the  dying  and  wounded  murmured  in  its  wake.  Dur- 
ing the  hours  of  every  day  there  was  constant  i)ursuit  and  fighting,  an<l 
the  hours  of  night  were  devoted  to  replenishing  the  sui)plies  of  food  and 
ammunition,  and  preparing  for  the  following  day,  with  little  time  given 
to  rest  or  sleep.  The  important  engagements  at  Sutherland  Station, 
Sweet  House  Creek,  Tabernacle  Church,  Amelia  Court  Hou.se,  .letersville. 
Sailor's  Creek,  Farmville,  all  these  preceded  the  final  scene  at  Appomattox 
Court  House. 

Yet  these  desperate  encounters  were  not  without  the  alleviation  of 
occasional  scenes  of  mirth  and  revelry.  On  the  day  of  the  engagement  at 
Sailor's  Creek,  my  division  marched  in  line  of  battle  over  sixteen  mile.s, 
fighting  over  every  ridge,  and  assaulting  every  defen.se.  We  could  occa- 
sionally see  in  the  distance  the  large  wagon-train  which  the  Confederate 
forces  were  endeavoring  to  protect  and  which  the  I'nion  forces  were 
determined  to  capture.  Just  as  the  sun  was  setting  in  the  west,  the  final 
assault  of  the  day  was  made  at  Sailor's  Creek,  resulting  in  the  complete 
rout  of  the  enemy  and  the  capture  of  this  entire  train,  numbering  ovei- 
two  hundred  wagons,  and  numy  battle-Hags,  pieces  of  artillery,  and  thou- 
sands of  prisoners.  Then  as  night  mantled  the  field  of  slaughter,  a  .scene 
of  comedy  was  enacted  about  the  bivouac  tires.  After  the  troops  were  in 
position  for  the  night  and  the  .soldiers  had  partaken  of  their  spare  meal 
of  coffee  and  crackers,  they  gratilied  their  curiosity  by  a  rigid  insi)ection 
of  the  day's  trophies,  and  several  of  the  wagons  were  found  loaded  with 
the  assets  of  the  Confederate  Treasury  whicli  had  been  brought  out  of 


1 1 


I ,.  n ' 


l!^*^!' 


nj-!i 


!  I 


40 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


'    ^'^ 


ki    I 


m 


that  department  at  Richmond.  Then  followed  a  most  extraordinary 
spectacle  of  jollity  and  good  humor.  A  Monte  Carlo  was  suddenly  im- 
provised in  the  midst  of  the  bivouac  of  war. 

"  Here's  the  Confederate  Treasury,  as  sure  as  you  are  a  soldier,"  shouts  one. 

"  Let's  all  be  rich,"  says  another. 

"Fill  your  pockets,  your  hats,  your  Laversacks,  your  handkerchiefs, 
your  anus,  if  you  please,"  was  the  word,  and  the  Confederate  notes  and 


Uxin\    ^>()7,l'Ii:US    (iA.Mlil.INc;     WITll     (  *(  IN  (•'KDKH  ATK    MciNBOY. 

bonds  were  rai)idly  disbursed.     If  they  wero  at  a  discount,  they  were  crisp 
and  new  and  in  enormous  denominations. 

Spreading  their  blankets  on  the  ground  by  the  bivouac  tires  the  veter- 
ans proceeded  with  the  comedy,  and  such  preposterous  gambling  was 
pr()l)ab)y  never  l)efore  witnessed.  Ten  thousand  dollars  was  the  usual 
"ante:"  often  twenty  thousand  to  "come  in;"  a  raise  of  fifty  thousand  to 
one  hundr?d  thousand  was  not  unusual  and  frequently  from  one  million 
to  two  millions  of  dollars  were  in  the  "  pool." 


•'  He 

i 

were  s* 

irether 

i 

the   Ha 

glad   r 

1 

"  We  a 

i 

A  brail  a 

I 

do  you 

i 

the"    C( 

r 

etc..  et( 

l^he; 

as  light 

ions  to 

as  it   i^ 

(Hers  t( 

up  the  r 

of  the 

\vere  to 

sacrificf 

while  ()\ 

ness  thf 

iimph. 

troops  i 

Ai)poma 

engatren 

to  its  ch 

ing  the 

my  divi; 

addresse 

inandinj 

under  a 

the  sam 

1 

is  again 

1 

(h-y 

H 

flirt  1 11' r  re 

jfl 

tliiit  it  is  ^ 

H 

offusioii  o 

H 

Ariiiv  kiio 

H 

Gkn 

GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MII-ES. 


41 


N^ 
■^ 


^^■^\ 


''  Be  prudent  stranj<er,"  "*  Don't  ^o  beyond  your  means,  my  friend," 
were  some  of  the  remarks  fi-equently  heard  amid  roars  of  hiu<,'hter;  to- 
irether  with  an   occasional  shout   of  "Freedom  forever!"    "Kally  round 
the   Hag,   boys!"   "Aint  I 
glad    I'm  in  fhls  army!" 
*'  We  arc   coming  Father 
Abraham!"  "Boys,   what 
do  you  say?  Let's  pay  off 
the    Confederate     de])t," 
etc..  etc. 

They  were  seemingly 
as  light-hearted  and  obliv- 
ions to  what  might  follow 
as  it  is  possible  for  sol- 
diers to  l)e.  They  kept 
up  the  revelry  during  most 
of  the  night,  and  some 
were  to  make  the  soldier's 
sacriHce  on  the  morrow, 
while  others  were  to  wit- 
ness the  scene  of  Hnal  tri- 
umph. Soon  after  daylight  on  the  following  morning,  April  7.  found  tiie 
troops  in  a  hot  pursuit  which  was  continued  across  a  branch  of  the 
Appomattox  Kiver.  near  High  Bridge,  toward  Farmville.  and  a  sharp 
engatrement  ensued  at  the  latter  place.  The  command  held  tenaciously 
to  its  close  proximity  to  the  enemy's  line  in  the  several  engagements  dur- 
ing the  day,  and  in  the  evening  Adjutant-dieneral  Seth  Williams  came  to 
my  division  headcpiarters  bearing  a  letter  from  Lieutenant-lieneral  (Jrant 
addressed  to (Jeneral Robert  E.Lee. commanding  the  Confederate  Army,  de- 
manding the  surrender  of  that  army.  This  letter  passed  thr<»ugh  my  line 
under  a  Hag  of  truce,  and  the  reply  of  (leneral  liee  was  returned  through 
the  same  channel.  This  correspondence,  though  now  well-ktiown  histoiT, 
is  again  given  here  as  a  part  of  my  narrati\e.     It  was  as  follows: 

A'iril  7,  ISfir). 

(iKNKitAi.  :  Tlio  results  of  tlic  hist  wtH'k  must  convince  yen  of  tlic  liopelcssness  of 
fiirtlicr  resistance  on  the  part  of  tiie  Aruiv  of  Xorthi  rn  \'iri;inia  in  tliis  struii'yh'.  I  feel 
that  it  is  so.  and  regard  it  as  nivdutv  to  sliift  from  myself  the  res|ionsil)ility  of  any  further 
eflfusion  of  blood  by  askiiii^  of  you  the  surrendiT  of  that  portion  of  the  Confederate  States 
Army  knoNvn  as  the  Army  of  Northern  Viririnia.  U.  S,  Ukani.  Lieutenant-dleneral. 

Gknkkai.  li.  E.  Lkk. 


VlI.I.AOK    OK    Al'I'oMATTnX. 


1 

i 

'    1  i'l-! 

\     :\ 


i-i '  'i  -^  1 


I  I* 


\ 


42 


TEHSOXAL  liECOLLECTlOXS  ilF 


ii. 


7th  Ajiril  '05. 

Gkn'i,:--1  linve  receivt'cl  your  note  of  this  date.     Thouijh  not  tMitertainiiiif  tiie  opinion 

von    exjin'ss  of    the   hopeh'ssnoKS  of  further  n^sistance  on   the    part    of  tlie   Army   of   N. 

Va.,    I   rei'ijtroeate  your  (h'sire   to  avoid    useh'ss   effusion  of  l)h)od,  and   therefore  before 

eonsideriui^   your  proposition,  ask  the  terms  you  will    offer  on  condition   of  its  surrender. 

Very  respt.  your  oht.  svt.  H.  E.  Lkk,  Gen'l. 

Lt.-C»kn"i-  U.  S.  Gi{ant,  Coninid.  Armies  of  the  U.  States. 

Next  day  the  pursuit  coutinued,  and  the  foUovving  letter  was  sent  in 
like  manner  as  the  ti^'st: 

A].ril  S.  18(55. 
(rKXKKAi.:- -Your  note  of  hist  evening  in  reply  to  mine  of  same  date,  askiui^  the 
eondition  on  whicii  1  will  aeetpt  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  is  just 
received.  In  reply  1  would  say.  that  jxaci  bein^  my  ^reat  desire,  there  is  but  one  condi 
tion  1  would  insist  upon,  namely:  That  the  men  and  oliieers  surrendered  shall  be  dis- 
(pialified  from  t  diint^  up  arms  aifain  against  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  until 
properly  exehanired.  1  will  nu>et  you.  or  will  desijriuite  otiieers  to  meet  any  officers  you 
nuiy  tlesifTiiate  for  the  same  purj)ose.  at  any  point  ai^reeable  to  you.  for  the  purpose  of 
arranifinir  deiinitely  the  terms  upon  which  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  Xorthern  Virijinia 
will  be  received.  U.  S.  Gkant,  Lieutenant-General. 

Geneual  li.  E.  Lee. 

The  correspondence  continued  as  follows  : 

8  A])ri',  '05. 

Gex'i,: — 1  rec'd  at  a  late  hour  your  note  of  to-day.  In  mine  of  yesterday  I  did  not 
intend  to  pro])ose  the  surrender  of  the  Army  of  N.  \n..  but  to  ask  the  terms  of  your  prop- 
osition. To  be  frank,  1  do  not  think  the  emeroency  has  arisen  to  call  for  the  surrender 
of  this  army,  but  as  the  restoration  of  peace  should  be  the  sole  object  of  all,  I  desired  to 
know  whether  your  proposals  would  lead  to  that  end.  1  cannot  therefore  meet  you  with 
a  view  to  surrender  the  Aruiy  f  N.  \'a.,  but  :;s  far  as  your  jtroposal  may  affec.  the  C.  S. 
forces  under  my  command  and  tend  to  the  restoration  of  peace,  I  should  be  pleas.nl  to  meet 
you  at  10  A.  M.  to-morrow  on  the  old  staije  road  to  Kichmond  between  the  picket  lines  of 
the  two  armies.  ^'ery  respt.  your  obt.  svt. 

n.  E.  Lek,  Genl. 

Lt.-Gen'i.  U.  S.  Grant,  Commd.  Armies  of  the  U.  S. 

Ai)ril  9,  18C5. 

General: — Your  note  of  yesterday  is  received.  1  have  no  authority  to  treat  on  the 
subject  of  peace;  the  meetiniij  proposed  for  ten  A.  M.  to-day  could  lead  to  no  ^ood.  I 
will  state,  however,  General,  that  I  am  e(jually  anxious  for  peace  with  yourself,  and  the 
whole  North  entertains  the  same  feelintf.  The  terms  upon  which  peace  can  be  had  are 
well  understood.  By  the  South  layiui;  down  their  arms  they  will  hasten  that  most  desira- 
ble event,  save  thousands  of  hunum  lives  and  hundreds  of  millions  of  property  not  yet 
destroyed.  Sericmsly  hoping  that  all  our  difficulties  may  be  settled  without  the  loss  of 
another  life,  I  subscribe  myself,  etc.  U.  S.  Gkaxt.  Lieutenant-General. 

General  K.  E.  Lee. 


GKNEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


43 


April  mil.  ISiT). 
Gknkkai.:      I  received  vor.r  note  of  tliis  inoniinsr  on   tlie  picket   line   whither  I   hiul 
coiiie  to  meet  you  uiid  ascertJiin  deliiiitely  what  terms  were   emljraeed  in  your  proposal  of 
yesterday,  with  reference  to  the  surrender  of  this  army.      1  now  n'(|uest  an  interview  in 
iiccordance  with  the  offer  contained  in  your  letter  of  yesterday,  for  the  purpose. 

N'ery  respectfully.  Your  obedient  servt. 

R.  E.   I^KK,  General. 
Lt.-Gkn.  I'.  S.  Grant.  Conid<r.  U.  S.  Annies. 

This  letter  and  the  one  following  conlu  not  he  immediately  delivered 
to  General  Grant  for  a  reason  which  will  presently  appear,  and  soon  there- 
after (General  Lee  came  up  to  my  line  with  two  staff  officers  for  the  purpose 
of  surrendering  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

When  Major-General  Humphrey,  commanding  the  corps,  and  Major- 
General  Meade  were  informed  of  his  presence.  General  Lee  was  told  that 
(Jeneral  (irant  had  left  that  part  of  the  line  and  was  on  his  way  around  to 
the  extreme  left  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  to  join  General  Sheridan's 
command.  He,  General  Lee,  then  requested  that  hostilities  be  suspended 
until  he  could  meet  General  Grant,  and  left  one  of  his  staff  officers  thereto 
represent  him  with  that  reiiuest.     He  also  wrote  another  note  to  be  sent 

from  that  point  to  General  Grant,  as  follows: 

IHh  April.  1865. 
Gknkkal: — 1  ask  a  suspension  of   hostilities   pending  the  adjustment  of  the  terms  of 
the  surrender  of  this  army,  in  the  interview  requested  in  my  former  connnunication  to-day. 

Very  respectfully,  Your  obedient  servant. 

i{.  E.  Lkk.  Generd, 
Lt.-Gkn.  U.  S.  Gkant,  Conidg.  U.  S.  Army. 

He  w^as  then  obliged  to  pass  back  through  his  army  to  the  right  to 
General  Sheridan's  front  where,  after  the  following  correspondence,  he 
met  General  Grant  and  finally  made  the  surrender,  after  a  delay  of  several 
hours,  caused  by  the  change  of  General  ( Irant's  personal  position  as  above 
mentioned.  (See  Humphrev's  History  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  page 
81)4.) 

HntiKs  A.  N.  Va..  0th  April  18(55. 

Gknekal,:  —  I  sent  a  connnunication  to  you  to-day  from  the  picket  line  whither  1 
had  gone  in  hopes  ui  meeting  you  in  pursuance  of  the  request  contained  in  my  letter  of 
yesterday.  MaJ.-Gen.  Meade  informed  me  that  it  would  probably  expedite  matters  to 
send  a  duplicate  through  some  other  part  of  your  lines.  L  therefore,  request  an  intervie./ 
at  such  time  and  j)lace  as  you  may  designate,  to  discuss  the  terms  of  surrender  of  this 
army,  in  accordance  with  your  offer  to  have  such  an  interview  contained  in  your  letter  of 
yesterday.  Very  resjiectfully  your  obt.  svt. 

K.  E.  Lkk,  General. 

Lt.-Gkn.  U.  S.  Gkant,  Comd'g  U.  S.  Armies. 


fill' 


44 


PEHSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


I,-.; 


m 


(; 

!  . 

M 


April  y,  isr.o. 

Genkual: — Vour  tiDte  of  tliis  datt'  is  but  this  uiomtMit  (ll:')!-  a.  m.)  received,  in 
coiiscfjiitMice  of  my  liaviii<r  [lassct)  from  tlie  Iticlimoiid  and  J^ynclil)urir  road  to  tlie  Farm- 
vilie  and  Lyiicliburi''  road.  J  ii:n  at  this  writinif  about  four  mih's  west  of  Walkers 
Church,  and  will  push  forward  to  the  front  for  tlie  |>ur|)ose  of  meetini^  you.  Notice  sent 
Mie  on  this  road  where  you  wis!'  tliis  interview  to  take  ])lace  will  meet  me. 

I'.  S.  GuANT,  Lieuteiiant-General. 

Gknkkai.  K.  E.  Lkk.  (Joinmandin<if  C.  S.  Armies. 

The  following  letter  presents  some  additional  facts,  hitherto  unpub- 
lished hearing  upon  the  circumstances  attending  the  surrender  : 

r.MoN   Ci.ru.  N.  \'..  February  la.  "<,)»). 

|)i:a1{  Gk.nkuai  :  it  was  a  mere  chai  ce.  and  a  hard  one  for  the  glorv  of  vour 
division  and  our  cor|)s,  that  Lees  si.;:'e"der  liid  not  take  |)lace  on  the  morninir  of  April 
Uth  on  \our  front,  (.hi  the  ])recedin<r  di.v  1  liad  gone  out  with  the  second  of  the  Hags  of 
truce  relating  to  surrender,  in  com|)anv  with  Gen.  Seth  Williams  (whose  orderly  Ijehind 
us  was  shot  at  that  time).  Gen.  Williams  explicitly  stated  that  imj)endinii;'  operations 
were  not  at  all  to  be  affected.  At  noon  the  saiiu^  day  a  flag,  sent  by  Gen.  Fitzhugh  Lee. 
was  met  by  me.  Lie  asked  if  the  operatu)ns  were  to  cease,  pending  the  correspondence. 
Having  heard  Gen.  Williams"  statement  J  was  able  to  answer  in  the  neifative.  That 
same  night  1  had  a  long  ride  to  the  rear,  where  Generals  (xrant  and  Meade  had  adjoining 
camps.  I  waited  there  until  midnight.  Keturning  to  the  Corps,  I  found  it  had  advanced 
during  the  night,  and  threw  myself  on  the  ground  to  sleep,  but  was  soon  awakened  by 
Gen.  Humphreys  with  a  sweet  and  considerate  apology  for  asking  me  to  go  out  again 
with  a  flag  since  I  had  had  no  sleep.     But  of  course  1  was  glad  to  go. 

First  I  met  the  (^hief  of  Couriers  at  Lee's  Head(juarters,  next  Col.  Chas.  Ma'^shall, 
Lee's  A.D.C.  and  Military  Sec'y  and  next  Gen.  Lee.  'I'he  latter  had  come  to  this  place, 
us  stated  in  his  letter  to  Gen.  Grant,  "to  nuH't  you  (Gen.  Grant)  and  ascertain  definitely 
what  terms  were  embraced  in  your  proposition  of  yesterday  with  reference  to  the  sur- 
render •)f  this  Army." 

It  was  the  chance  of  Gen.  Grant  riding  to  the  left  to  see  Gen.  Sheridan,  instead 
of  coming  to  our  front,  where  Lee  exj)ectetl  him.  that  preventetl  the  surrender  being 
made  on  our  (your)  front.  Such  little  incidents  give  a  different  face  to  history.  To 
resume,  Lee  started  his  reply  to  Gen.  Grant's  letter,  but  closed  it  in  haste,  being  dis- 
turbed by  the  flring  at  Appomattox.  J  conveyed  the  letter  and  in  additit)n  a  verbal 
nu^ssage  to  the  effect  that  he  '-.ad  come  there  <:rj)(ffi//i/  tn  unit  (ii  ii.  (iraitf,  and  under- 
standing the  military  o])era Lions  would  be  suspended,  and  that  he  wished  to  know  when 
aiu^  where  they  ci»uld  nu'ct.     The  surrender,  as  is  known  in  detail,  soon  f()ili)wed. 

Ever  siiu'(>rely  yours,  Ciias.  A.  Wihttikk. 

Gkn.  Nki.son    a.   Mii.Ks.  Coinmaiider  U.  S.  A. 

The  final  result  was,  however,  most  gratifying,  though  the  culminating 
scene  had  been  thus  shifted  and  delayed.  During  the  four  hours  of  the 
suspension  of  hostilities  pending  the  surrender,  the  batteries  went  into 
position  and  the  lines  of  l)attle  were  formed,  ready  for  immediate  attack. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


45 


Y'ou  could  see  the  gleam  of  alternating  hope  and  anxiety  playing  npon  the  , 
faces  of  'Jiose  war-worn  troops  vvlierever  yon  turned.  In  anticipation  of 
the  Hnal  result  the  head(iuarters  hand  of  my  division  was  ordered  up  close 
in  the  rear  of  our  line  of  battle,  and  when  the  announcement  came  that 
(leneral  Lee  had  surrendered  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  this  hand 
broke  the  silence  with  the  music  of  ''  Hail  Columbia"  and  the  other  national 
airs  with  indescribable  si)irit  and  volume.  The  example  was  foHowed  by 
all  the  bands  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  shouts  of  victory 
and  peace  swelled  from  a  hundred  thousand  throats,  and  above  all  re- 
echoed such  continued  thunder  from  double-charged  cannon,  Hring  blank 
cartridges,  as  has  seldom  been  heard  on  any  battletield.  At  the  same  time 
the  air  was  full  of  hats,  canteens,  haversacks,  cartridge  boxes;  everything 
that  could  be  detached  from  the  person  and  thrown  high  overhead.  Sol- 
diers who  had  borne  the  brunt  of  battle  for  four  years  with  absolute  forti- 
tude melted  like  overjoyed  women  and  embraced  each  other  in  their  arm.s, 
or  rolled  like  children  ui)on  the  turf.  Their  hearts  were  Hlled  with  irre- 
pressible gladness,  their  faces  l)edewed  with  tears  of  joy.  The  l)attle-torn 
flags  were  waved,  eml)raced  and  kissed  by  the  l)r()nzed  and  war-scarred 
veterans,  it  is  utterly  impossible  to  adequately  describe  the  scene,  or  the 
feelings  that  swelled  the  souls  of  that  army.  Thankfulness,  joy,  generosity, 
magnanimity,  patriotism,  were  all  mingled  in  the  feelings  of  the  hour. 
The  exultation  of  victory  and  the  joyous  anticipation  of  returning  to  our 
homes,  were  tempered  by  sympathy  and  respect  for  a  van<iuished  but 
valiant  foe. 

Possibly  their  emotions  could  not  be  better  expressed  than  in  these 
lines,  written  by  Associate  .Justice  Brewer,  of  the  I'nited  States  Supreme 
Court: 

'•Now  tliaiiks  be  to  God   for  the  cliiwiiiiitr  of  peace. 
A  respite   from  conflict  and  a  sweet  release 
F^roiu  tli(^   carnage  of  war  and  tlie   horrors  of  strife. 
Tlie  slieddinijf  of  blood  and   the  wasting  of  life; 
And  far  be  the  day  when   we  rally  again 
For  a  harvest  of  death  and  a   reaping  of  men. 
No  taunt  for  the   vantpiished.   no  sneer  at   her  slain; 
'Tis  enough,  thev   were  brothers  and  are   l)r()thers  atrairi; 
For  lienceft)rth  forever  one  nation  shall   be 
From  ocean  to  ocean,  from  the   lakes  to  the  sea, 
And  o'er  our  land  one  flag  shall   float. 
One  soujir  ascend   from  every  throat; 
That  flair  the  bainier  of  the   free; 
That  sons;  the  sonj;  of  liberty." 


m 


ifT 


4(i 


TKHSONAI,   li'KCni.l.KC'nONS  OK 


ill  that  lioiir  we  could  not  l)iit  n'Miciiihcr  also  the  tlioiisaiids  ii|K)Ii 
tlioiisainls  ol"  our  coiiiratlcs  who  had  iiiach'  tho  soldier's  sa('rilic(\  Klo- 
(|ii«'iitly  silent,  unseen,  hut  pi'ivsent  to  onr  I'oimI  reineinhranee,  was  tliat 
spiril  host  in  this  hour  of  linal  trinin|»h.  01"  the  hundreds  of  tlnnisands 
who  |t(Mished  in  that  ^n-eat  war  many  to-day  I'cst  wluM'e  they  fell,  and  wo 
IIikI  a  eonsolation  and  an  expression  of  our  rev(>r(Mi<'e  for  their  ineniories 
in  these  lines: 


iii! 


(Oxer  tlit'in  (ucr   witli   Ixsmtifiil   tlowcrs. 


i)t'ck   liit'iii    will)   narliiiuls.   those 


l)rt)|l 


iiM's  Ol    ours 


l.\iiii;  so  silent    liv   iiiiiflit   and   l)v  <liiv. 
Slei'pino;   tlie   yeai-s  of    tlieir  nianliood   away, 
(iive  them  the   ineetl   thev    have   won    in   the   \y 
(live   thi'in   the   lionoi's  their  future  forecast: 
(«i\('  them  the  i'lia|>lets  the\    won  in  tlu'   strife 


list: 


(. 


tl 


lem    tlie  laun 


Is  tl 


lev    lost    wi 


th    tl 


u'lr 


life 


Cover  tht>m  over.    \  I's.  eoxcr  them  over. 
I'arent    and   hushand.   i)rother  and    lo\er; 
Crown    in    \our  hearts  those   heroes  of  our 
Cover  them  over  with  beautiful   tlovvers. 
Cover  the    thousands    who   sleep    far   awa\. 


leeii   w 


here   their   friends   cannot    lind   them    to-day: 


riiev    who   in    inonntain   and    hillside   and    dell. 
Kest    wheiH>    thev    wearied,   and    lie    where   thev    fe 
Softiv    the   s^rass-hlades  cre(>|i  round   their  repose: 


«wei"tlv   al)ov(>   them   th 


t>   wi 


Id    II 


owen 


t    hi 


ows; 


/ephvrs  of  freedom   tl\    o'entiv   oerliead. 
N\'his|uMMntr   |ira\»'rs  for  the   patriot    dead." 

The  hlack-moiithed  eannon  were  at  last  parktnl  in  siltMice.  and  the  lon^ 
coniniissary  trains  of  tln^  victorious  army  passed  throu^'li  the  surrendered 
lines  to  sui>ply  alike  i>oth  armies.  The  majj:naniniity  and  jjenerosity  of  the 
silent  commander  touched  the  hearts  of  all  with  respect  and  admiration, 
and  all  reali/etl  that  the  cause  that  divided  the  two  forces  had  at  last 
disappeared,  and  that  friendshi])  and  coniidence  ninst  be  restored. 

The  jjrroat-hearted  leader  and  helovetl  President  was  soon  to  fall,  hut  his 
wise  and  iienerwus  words  express  the  spirit  of  the  million  of  armed  veteran 
soldiers  who  put  off  the  hahilimentsof  war  and  resumed  the  res])onsil)ilities 
and  duties  of  American  citizens.  They  represent  the  earnest  ai>peal  and 
wise  counsel  contained  in  his  lirst  inaugural:  "We  are  not  enemies,  but 
friends.  We  must  not  be  enemies.  Though  passion  may  have  strained, 
it  must  not  break  our  bonds  of  atfection.  The  mystic  chords  of  memory 
stretching  from  every  battlefield  and  patriot-grave  to  every  living  heart 


:y t   -  i 


(JKNKUAI-  NKI-SON   A.  MILKS. 


47 


and  hcartlistoiie  all  over  this  broad  land  will  yot  swell  tho  clionis  of  the 
lliiioii,  when  touched  a^'aiii.  as  surely  they  will  he.  by  the  better  aii^'els  of 
oiir  nature."  and  his  words  at  his  second  inau^niration,  "With  malice 
towards  none,  with  charity  for  all,  with  lirniness  in  the  ri^dit.  as  (iod  ^'ives 

us  to  see  i\w  ri^dit." 

In  this  spirit,  the  veterans  furled  their  triumphant  banners,  stacked 
their  arms,  and  returned  again  to  the  peaceful  walks  of  life. 

In  order  to  comprehend  the  magnitude  of  the  cause  in  which  tliose 
men  were  eng-ged.  we  must  consider  what  would  have  been  the  result  t(> 
the  people  of  this  country,  and  to  tin'  whole  human  race,  if  they  had  faih'd 


T 


AlM'KDACII    OF    (ilCNKHAI.    l-l'.i:    rSDI'.K    I""l.A(i    <>r    Tl{l<'i;. 

in  that  heroic  enteri)rise  for  the  restoration  and  perpetuity  of  the  great 
republic.  It  was  a  (piestion  of  national  life  or  of  dissolution,  of  one  grand 
re})ublic.  or  of  two  or  several  conflicting  republics  or  pi-incii)alities.  !t 
was  a  (luestion  between  anarchy  to  be  followed  by  desi»otism.  or  the 
restoration  of  the  great  republic  in  all  its  grandeur  and  magniticence 
with  an  assured  prosperous  and  })eaceful  future. 

Let  us  consider  for  a  moment  how  near  we  came  to  dissolution  and 
destruction.     Let   us   take  a  few  reasonable  illustrations.     What  would 


Hil'i^ 


sii! 


48 


l'KI{SOXAL  KKCOLLECTIOXS  OF 


have  1)0011  tho  rosult  had  Ahraliaiu  liincoln  and  Wintiold  Scott  failod  whon 
the  ooiintrv  was  in  tho  lirst  dark  luuirof  its  iiiiininoiit  i»onl.'  What  would 
luive  hoeii  tho  rosult  had  -lanios  B.  Kads  ^oue  from  St.  liOiiis  to  liiolinioiid 
iiistojid  oi  to  Wasliiii^'ton,  and  proi)osod  to  construct  and  place  at  the 
service  of  the  C'onfodoracv  instoail  of  the  Federal  (iovornniont,  that  Wdii- 


(Um-  tl 


10  gallant 


niticent  flotilla  of  giin-hoals  that  contrihuted  so  larj^'oly.  undoi 
Foote.  to  the  ()i)enin^'  of  tho  Mississippi  from  the  Lakes  to  tho  iiulf.'  Sup- 
pose .rohn  Kricsson.  that  mastor-inind  whet  twice  revolutionized  tho  navies 
of  the  world,  had  placed  his  ]\Ioiiitor  under  the  Confoderate  flag  hositlo  the 
Merrimac  on  the  (.'hosapoako.  or  with  his  system  of  battleships  hatl  block- 
aded the  Northern  po  -ts  iastoad  of  the  ports  of  the  Southern  States^ 
What  would  have  Ik  in  the  result  if  Sherman's  army  hid  exhausted  its 
stronu'th  a<j;ainst  the  enemy  betwee  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta,  if  he  had 
conducted  mh  •  i^^lfoctive  cami)aign  instead  of  sweeiung  a  zone  from  At- 
lanta to  tlie  se;' ;  ^  what  would  have  boon  the  result  had  Thomas  failod 
at  Nashville,  aiu!  allowed  his  army  to  be  annihilated  and  loft  his  opjx)- 
nent's  a.  my  free  to  march  to  the  (Ireat  Lakes?  Or,  again,  what  would  have 
been  the  result  had  the  army  under  Meade  been  ca])tiiied  or  destroyed 
instea«l  of  hurinig  back  the  most  powerful  army  contoiiding  against  the 
government  wi'on  it  had  reached  the  tiood-tide  of  success  and  almost 
decisive  vict<  .  i  e  crest  of  (Jettysburg?  Instead  of  capturing  the  Army 
of  Northern  dnia.  suppose  the  Armies  of  the  Fotomac  and  tlie  James 
had  been  destroyed  or  captured  witii  our  national  capital.  The  Confeder- 
acy would  then  have  been  recognized  as  an  estabUshed  government  by 
every  power  in  Europe,  and  ruin  and  universal  bankruptcy  would  have 
prevailed  where  universal  prosperity  has  since  flourished.  The  republican 
form  of  government  would  have  perished.  possil)ly  forever.  The  w^orld 
could  then  have  said  that  after  nearly  one  hundred  years  of  experiment, 
under  the  most  favorable  circumstances  and  in  a  country  walled  by  two 
great  oceans,  vepublican  institutions  had  been  tried  and  had  utterly  failed. 
Despotic  government,  and  with  it  human  slavery,  would  have  been  the 
fate  of  man  for  an  indefinite  period  of  time. 

Now,  looking  back  after  tliirtv  years  of  unprecedented  pea'*e  and  pros- 
perity, what  are  the  results  of  that  tenible  sacrificed  What  has  been 
achieved,  and  what  results  do  we  see  to  compensate  for  the  s!.fferings  of  a 
loyal  people  and  the  untimely  death  of  more  than  three  hundred  thousand 
of  our  citizens?  What  are  the  lasting  monuments  to  their  services  and  their 
achievements?  Is  it  the  gratitude  of  the  people  that  in  time  will  grow 
weary?     Is  it  the  monuments  that  we  have  erected?     Not  at  all ;  pillars  of 


'i 


GEXEHAL  XKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


41) 


stoiio  and  statues  of  hron/e  Jiiv  perislijiltlo  Jiiicl  uiust  in  tiinc  cruniltlo  and 
sink  into  oblivion.  Then  what  are  the  living'  monuments  that  will  endure? 
One  is  that  man  now  enjoys  eciual  rights  and  justice  before  the  law;  another, 
that  universal  free(h)m,  education,  security  and  protection  of  life  and 
property  prevail  in  every  section  of  our  country.  A  third  result  is  seen  in 
the  fact  that  those  who  fouj^ht  aj^ainst  us  have  also  ecpuilly  enjoyed  tlie 
fruits  of  our  success,  and  are  now  thoroughly  devoted  to  the  welfare  and 
l)erpetuity  of  the  Federal  (Jovernment.  devoting  their  best  efforts  toward 
maintaining  its  honor  and  integrity,  and  have  even  recently  given  a 
si)lendid  exhibition  of  their  loyalty  to  and  pride  in  it,  and  of  their  stead- 
fastness in  ni)liolding  the  supremacy  of  its  laws. 

Instead  of  despotism  or  anarchy  we  hav(^  as  a  result  this  indestrnctil)le 
and  imperishable  monument  of  i)alriotisiu.  We  have  assured  the  exist- 
ence of  this  gr(»at  republic  and  of  our  sister  republics  scattered  over  the 
entire  \vest(>rn  hemisphere,  from  the  (Jreat  Ijakes  to  the  extreme  southern 
border  of  South  America.  Liberality,  humanity  and  justice  now,  more 
than  ever,  influence  or  <'ontrol  the  govern  n^Mits  of  the  civili/ed  world. 

The  surrender  of  the  armies  of  the  ('onfed(»i.)cy  left  the  South  banki'ui)t 
and  ])aralyzed,  and  mourning  and  loss  had  c<une  to  every  liousehold.  liufc 
it  left  four  millions  of  hunu'.n  brings  emancipated.  They  were  not  citizens, 
though  no  longer  slaves  nnder  the  law  ;  and  yet  they  possessed  not  land 
enough  to  stand  ui)on.  It  was  an  immediate  cpiestion  what  to  do  with 
that  mass  of  freed  i)eople.  too  great  it  seemed  to  be  assimilated  in  the  body 
l>olitic.  It  was  said  bj  some  that  to  give  them  the  right  of  citizenship 
'•  would  be  like  placing;  the  club  of  Hercules  in  the  hands  of  a  blind  Sam- 
son." The  great  black  problem  which  alarmed  tlie  peo[)le  of  that  section 
of  the  country  then  has  agitated  the  minds  of  the  Southern  people  ever 
since,  and  is  a  grave  problem  even  to-day.  Yet  it  will  work  out  its  own  solu- 
tion. There  is  no  black  blood  being  imported,  and  the  negro  poinilation. 
while  rising  in  the  scale  of  intelligence,  is  spontaneously  scattering  itself 
throi  <.''hout  the  North  and  West,  in  every  State  and  Teri-itory,  and  the 
problem  is  i'l  sure  course  of  settlement  in  due  time. 

At  the  ch  se  of  the  war  those  who  had  been  engaged  in  actual  conflict 
in  the  main  buried  their  prejudices  vitii  the  sword.  Then  was  the  best 
opportunity  the  people  of  the  South  have  ever  had  for  dividing  up  their 
large  plantations  and  disposing  of  them  in  small  portions  to  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  enterprising  men,  who  would  have  been  glad  to  pay  for 
them  a  fair  compensation  and  build  their  homes  among  them,  thus 
making  the  land  reserved  even  more  valuable  to  them  than  the  whole  has 


:.M, 


'■''    I 


ill 


% 


60 


I'KUSONAI,  WhJCOIJ.KCTIONS  OK 


yet  com 0  to  Ik\  Nortlirni  caidtjil  and  Northern  iiiiniiurratio!!  vvould  luive 
j^ivt'ii  to  the  South  ^Mcater  piospcrity  than  it  ever  liad  htdoro.  What 
that  s(>('tion  needed  was  less  politics,  less  credit,  and  more  solid  capital, 
and  intellij^^'nt  labor  with  ^neater  diversity  of  industries.  It  has  now  hy 
fortitude  and  enterprise,  risen  from  the  ashes  of  a  devastating  war  to  a 
place  of  prosperity  and  yreat  future  promise. 

The  Southern  States  have  for  the  past  few  years  been  invitinj^  Northeiii 
and  KnroiH'an  capital,  and  intelligent  immigration.  These,  together  with 
their  own  economy,  enteri»rise  and  intelligence,  will  in  the  near  future 
develoi)  the  vast  resources  of  that  interesting  and  valuahle  itortion  of  oiii 
country. 

As  an  incident  outside  the  actual  conflict,  at  the  ('lose  of  the  war, 
France  had  an  army  in  Mexico,  a  menace  to  our  institution.^  and  syst(>m 
of  government.  Our  commerce  had  l)een  swept  from  the  seas  by  priva- 
teers built  and  manned  in  foreign  ports,  although  at  that  time  we  had 
built  up  the  strongest  navy  afloat.  Some  of  our  statesmen  advocated 
the  formation  of  two  great  armies  composed  of  the  soldiers  of  the  North 
and  the  South,  one  to  be  moved  to  the  city  of  Mexico,  and  the  other 
marched  to  Canada.  I'artly  owing  to  the  enormous  burden  of  an  un- 
precedented debt,  which  furnished  one  of  the  strongest  arguments 
against  such  policy,  partly  because  the  people  had  already  had  so  much 
of  war  that  they  had  become  tired  of  it.  but  mainly  through  the  tragic, 
cruel  and  unfortunate  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  a  change  was  worked 
in  the  trend  of  affairs,  Jiincoln's  death  at  that  time  was  perhaps  the 
most  unfortunate  event  possible.  He  was  so  kind  hearted,  so  unselfish, 
so  magnanimous,  and  he  so  fully  comprehended  the  condition  of  the  South, 
that  he  would  have  been  able  to  guide  and  direct  it  back  to  a  condi- 
tion of  peace,  prosperity  and  loyalty,  l)etter  than  any  other  man  could 
have  done.  His  life  would  have  })een  of  greater  value  to  the  Southein 
])eoph»  than  it  could  i)ossibly  have  been  to  the  remainder  of  the  country. 
The  UH'thod  of  forming  provisional  governments,  first  tried,  was  soon 
al)an(l()iied.  A  bitter  controversy  .u'ose  between  President  Johnson  — who 
had  IxMMi  elected  \'ice-Presi(leni.  and  l)y  the  death  of  ]\lr.  Lincoln  became 
President-  and  Congress,  the  final  outctmie  of  which  was  a  pitlicy  of 
reconstruction  under  military  direction:  and  whatever  else  may  have 
l)een  said  in  regard  to  national  matters  at  that  time,  it  has  been 
universally  conceded  that  the  militai'y  commanders  executed  the  re- 
construction laws  with  great  discretion,  judgment,  intelligence  and 
integrity.     The   constitutions  of  the  several  States  were   re-formed,  ap- 


(JKNKIJAI,   NKF.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


51 


proved  by  ('ou^mvss  and  adoptod.  and  tlic  contnd  of  tin*  military  was  in 
a  very  siiort  tinw  practically  uitlidrawn,  and  tlio  States  restored  to  their 
former  status  as  nieniln'rs  of  the  Feih'ral  I'nion.  The  ^'I'eat  duty  then 
was  the  substitution  of  civil  ^'overnnuMit  for  military  rule,  an<l  the  return 
iis  speedily  as  possible  to  the  |)aths  of  peace  and   iuibisti'ial   aciiievennMit. 

The  restoration  of  peace,  fraternity  and  prosperity  in  the  South  enabled 
the  capital  and  enterprise  <d'  the  people  of  all  older  sections  to  turn  their 
attention  to  the  undeveloped  West  and  reclaim  and  transform  that  vast 
region  into  what  we  lind  it  to-day. 

To  return  to  my  own  fortunes,  when  the  volunteer  army  was  disbanded, 
i  was  commissioned  a  Colonel  and  iirevet  Major-tJeneial  of  the  I'niteil 
States  Army.  In  the  s[)rinj^  of  iStit)  1  was  assigned  to  the  c(unimiiul  of  the 
Fifth  I'nited  States  Infantry,  stationed  at  Fort  Hays,  Kansas,  on  what 
was  tluMi  known  as  our  "Western  Frontier."  Thenc<dorward  I  continued 
to  serve  west  of  the  Missouri  until  the  fall  of  I  SIM),  a  period  of  nearly 
twenty-two  years.  During  this  period  I  have  been  an  interested  witness 
of  the  transformation  and  marvelous  develoi)ment  of  that  vast  region. 
Within  a  (piarter  of  a  c(Mitury  following  our  great  war  a  new  empire  has 
si)rung  into  existence.  What  was  at  one  time  a  vast  desert  [dain,  wilder- 
ness and  mountain  v  .iste,  has  been  transformed  into  a  land  of  immeas- 
urable resources,  a  realm  rivaling  in  extent  and  resources  the  empire  of 
the  ('iesars.  To  ful!v  rdate  the  story  of  this  achievement  in  civilization, 
this  transformation  of  le  greater  part  of  a  continent,  this  '■  battle  of  civ- 
ilization "  as  it  has  not  nuiptly  been  called,  would  re(|uir(>  many  vohunes 
such  as  this.  The  task  I  have  assigned  myself  is,  therefore,  siin{)ly  to 
record  the  more  salient  facts  that  came  within  the  scope  of  i.'y  own 
observation  and  experience. 


I  : 


I  i 


''   i''  teil 


'ti 


^ 


52 


TEHSUNAL  IJECULLECTlUNa;  UF 


CIIAITI<:i{  IV. 

OiK  Actji'iuKi)  Tkkkitoky. 

Coi.i'si/ \Ti(i\  —  i;i:si  r.Ts    <ii'    Tin;    1"'ui:n(II     am>    Imhw     W.mi  —  Tin:    liOiiwiwA    !'ti((ii.\Hi:  — 

Al'(JIIHITIii\     o|'     ThMUllTiiHV      lllnM     .Mi;\U'n  —    KxiM.i iHATItlNH     n|'      I,|;\\IS      AMI    Cl.AHK  — 

FUKMnNl'M     Km'I.hII  \  I'IoNS  —  Si  HVKVM     l-uu    Tli  A  NS-('()XTIM:NT  M.    Iv  AII.W  \vs —  l»i:- 

KII.TK     iiK    Tin;  WaH    IN     ITH    Kl'IKCT  (IN    TllK      I  )i;  VKl.nI'M  i:NT    dl'    llli:    \Vi:sT 

—    ( 'OXHTHl'CTKlN'       lU"       TUANH-fdNTINKNTAI,        H  Ml. WAV    —    IkM'll* 

Sktti.kmknt  <•!■"  Tin;  Wkst  —  I'itthiii  lui  —  Cincvdu  — 
St.   Liii  is — Kads —  Kokt  I,i:  wKNWnuTii  —  Kmi- 

(iinNl-    Tit  MNS  —    lllNTINO      K  \  I'KIHTIuNS 

—  Tin:    DoNinns     Km'kiiitiiin. 

OON  5iit(M*  (»m-  f(H('tatluM-s  had  planted  tlicir  little  colonies 
aloiijj!  the  Atlantic  Coast,  their  children  ascended  the  Hudson, 
the  Mohawk,  the  Siis(|iiehanna.  the  I'otonuic.  and  othei'  valleys, 
penetnitt'd  to  the  Ohio,  and  at  len^'th  invaded  "the  dark  and 
Itloody  ^M'onnd"  of  Kentucky,  and  slowly  moved  westwanl 
alonj;  the  I'e^non  of  the  (ireat  liakc^s. 

A  little  later  they  he^^Mn  to  occupy  the  rich  prairies  of  the 
]\lississii)i)i  Valley,  and  to-day  their  remote  descendants  have 
transformed  the  treeless  j)lains  of  the  central  West,  and  the  mountain 
valleys  and  jjjold-tields  of  the  Pacific  slope  and  of  the  liocky  Moun- 
tains into  busy  and  prosperous  communities.  Long  before  the  day  of 
the  Anglo-Saxon  occupation,  adventurers  of  other  races  had  passed  lightly 
over  much  of  what  is  now  the  I'nited  States.  Yet  only  in  a  few  iso- 
latetl  spots  had  they  left  any  endnring  trace.  Pressing  closely  upon  the 
fo()tstei)s  of  the  hunters  and  trappers,  the  Daniel  Poones  of  the  frontier,  the 
American  has  always  founded  homes,  established  schools,  and  organized 
permanent  industries. 

The  favoral)le  termination  of  the  Frencli  and  Indian  wars,  waged  for 
more  than  two  generations,  gave  the  English  colonists  the  great  lake- 
region  and  northwestern  territory  west  of  the  AUeghanies,  and  put  an 
end  forever  to  the  Frenchman's  dream  of  empire  in  this  quarter.  The 
Louisiana  purchase  gave  us  a  vast  area  in  the  South  and  West,  wiiile  the 
Texas  revolution  and  the  war  with  Mexico,  gave  us  New  Mexico,  Arizona, 
and  California. 


■mi 


I'     i 


(;knki{.\l  nki,s()\  a.  mii.ks. 


:.:i 


I  i 


Wliat  liius  lui»;4  Immmi  called  «mr  ^MTiit  \V(»st«'ni  Mm|»in»  iiiiiy  Itr  loii^'lily 
(IcscrilxMl  as  iiicludiii;,'  tlir  coiiiitry  lyiii;,'  rnuii  ixirtli  to  suiitli  l»<>t\v«M'ii  tho 
hoin'mion  of  Caiuuhi  and  the  Kcinihlic  of  Mexico;  and  fioin  cast  t«>  west 
(with  boundaries  less  delinitely  tixed)  hctweeii  tlu^ 
Missouri  Uiver  ami  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

It  is  renuirkalde  that  when  the  ^'n»at  Corsi- 
cau  had  exhausted  iiis  treasure  in  tlu'  desolation 
and  destruction  of  homes  in  Kuroiie  to  extend  his 
eiujiire,  he  was  willing'  to  disiiose  of  his  vast  area  of 
territory  in  North  America  to  tla*  I'nited  States. 
Sevonty-tive  million  francs  at  that  time 
was  a  great  boon  to  the  French  con- 
(|ueror.  and  one  million  one  hundred  and  . 

.s«  »'enty-two  thousand   sijuare  miles  of  '^  5=: 

the  territory  of  North  .America  uasdes- 
tiiu'd  to  he  a  still  j^'reater  boon  for  tlie 
millions  of  free  [)<m»i»1<»  who  were  to 
build  prosperous  homes  in  this  then  un- 
ex[»lored  rej^ion. 

Tho  treasure  exchanged  for  the  land 
l)urchased  the  e(iuipment  and  munitions 
of  war  that  carried  mourning  and  deso- 
lation to  thousands  of  homes  in  Euroi)e. 
The  territory  received  in  excliange  foi- 
the  treasure  iias  produced  untold  iio'lions  of  homes  in  our  own  country. 

President  Jefferson  and  the  Congress  desired  a  more  i»erfect  knowl- 
edge of  this  vast  country  acquired  by  what  was  known  as  the  "  Louisi- 
ana Purchase  "  from  the  French  government,  and  it  was  under  goveinment 
direction  that  the  expedition  of  iievvis  and  Clark  was  projected.  In 
ISO;},  this  expedition  was  organized  at  St.  Louis  to  explore  a  route  through 
the  unknown  wilderness  to  the  Pacific  C'oast.  The  company  was  composed 
of  nine  young  men  from  Kentucky,  fourteen  soldiers,  two  Canadian  boat- 
men, an  interpreter,  a  hunter,  and  a  negro  servant  of  Captain  Clark's. 

In  the  spring  of  IS()4  the  villagers  of  St.  Louis  assembled  on  the  l)ank  of 
the  Mississippi  River  to  bid  adieu  to  the  members  of  this  first  expedition. 
The  history  of  that  exploration  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  ever  writ- 
ten. Their  first  winter  was  sf  ent  with  the  Mandan  Indians  in  what  is 
now   North   Dakota.      Towing   their  boats  for  two   thousand    miles  up 

the   Missouri  River  and   leaving  thein  in  charge  of  a  band  of  savages, 
M— 4 


^^//lJbtOH^^^mJ^y\^ry^^  i^ 


1 

■ 

wBb  • 

i^'M 

\ 

I '  \ 


54 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


\l 


the  Shoshone  liitlinns.  they  obtained  from  them  horses  for  crossing  the 
mountains  to  the  head  waters  of  the  great  Columbia,  and  there  built  other 
boats  and  Hoated  down  the  "Hudson  of  the  West"  to  its  junction  with 
the  Pacific  at  a  point  where  now  stands  the  town  of  Astoria,  and  here 
they  spent  their  second  winter.  In  the  following  spring  they  com- 
menced their  toilsome  return  journey  to  the  upper  Columbia,  where  they 
again  found  their  liorses,  safely  caret!  for  in  the  interval  by  the  friendly 
Nez  Perces  Indians.  They  continued  their  return  journey  over  the  moun- 
tai)is  to  the  head  waters  of  the  Yellowstone,  passed  down  the  Yellowstone 
and  Missouri  Rivers,  and,  after  two  years  and  four  mouths  absence,  and 
after  having  been  given  up  as  lost,  they  were  welcomed  home  again  by 
the  villagers  of  St.  I^ouis. 

in  that  perilous  journey  they  had  met  no  less  than  eighty-hve  tribes 
of  Indians,  who  had  never  seen  white  men  before,  and  i)assed  through  a 
vast  country  of  surpassing  interest  and  inexhaustible  natural  resources. 

A  few  years  later  a  party  sent  out  by  .lolin  Jacob  Astor  for  the  purpose 
of  extemling  the  fur  trade  also  crossed  the  continent,  passing  over  a  por- 
tion of  the    route    followed    by    Lewis    and    Clark. 
After  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  immigrant 
routes  across  the  continent  were  esta))lished,  but  there 
still   I'emained   vast  regions    between    these   routes 
that  were   almost   unknown   at   a   much  later  date. 
This  is  illustrated  ])y  the  fact  that  the  extraordinary 
tract   of  country   now    known    as   Yellowstone 
I?ark.  so  full  of  natural  wc»nders.  was  prac- 
tically unknown  until  several  years  after  the 
great  war.     The  same  may  be  said,  as  far  as 
the  genera]  public  is  concerned,  of  the  (Jrand 
Cafiouof  the  Colorado,  although  Iji«>utenant 
-I.  C.  Ives,  Corps  of  Topogra})hical  Engineers, 
made  a   most   laborious  exploration  of  the 
Coloi'ado  River  in  IcSOT  S  under  the  direction 
of  the  Oflice  of  Exphu'ations  and  Surveys, 
Captain  A.  A.    Humphreys  in    charge;  and 
his  reports  and  maps  were  of  gi-eat  interest 
and  value. 

While  the  Lewis  and  Clark  expedition 
was  on  its  return  journey,  a  second  important  exploration  was  working 
its  wav  to  the  westward.     This  w;i-    under  the  command  of  Zebulon  M. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


56 


Lilt 

I'S. 

le 
1)11 
vs. 


on 
ug 
M. 


Pike,  whose  monument  is  the  mountain  which  bears  his  name,  looking 
out  across  the  uhiins  from  the  eastern  edge  of  a  world  of  mountains. 

Lieutenant  Pike  was,  as  so  many  of  those  have  been  who  led  the  way 
into  our  western  empire,  a  soldiei-.  He  was  born  in  the  army,  and  while 
yet  a  boy,  was  an  ensign  in  his  father's  regimenl.  And  as  a  soldier  he 
(lied.  He  was  killed  while  leading  his  regiment,  the  Fifteentii  Infantry, 
in  the  assault  at  York,  Canada,  April.  IS];}.  After  the  stir  he  made  in  the 
v>Vl  time  when  the  ground  his  mountain  stands  upon  was  not  ours  but 
belonged  to  Spain  ;  after  all  the  charming  narrations  that  have  been 
evolved  out  of  his  adventures,  we  marvel  that  he  died  at  thirty-four,  the 
colonel  of  the  regiment  he  led. 

There  were  twenty-three  men  in  this  expedition,  all  told.  They  started 
from  Bellefontaine,  a  location  on  the  Missouri,  fourteen  mih^s  north  of 
the  city  of  St.  Louis — the  same  locality  which  had  been  the  starting  i)oint 
of  Lewis  and  Clark,  and  the  first  site  of  a  military  post  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi— in  July,  1S()().  There  was  then  the  beginning  of  a  dispute  about 
boundaries;  the  same  that  was  ended  by  the  treaty  of  (iuadalonpe  Hidalgo 
after  the  war  with  Mexico,  while  all  the  scars  were  healed  by  the  Cadsden 
purchase  a  little  later.  Pike's  errand  was  not  entirely  one  of  exploration, 
and  without  (piestion  it  was  desired  to  know  also  how  strong  Spain  was 
along  the  boundary  she  claimed  as  her  northern  limit,  and  which  we  dis- 
puted. 

His  journal  reads  now  like  a  romance.  It  is  of  starved,  frozen,  ragged 
men  wandering  through  a  region  that  is  the  favorite  and  cosy  tourist- 
ground  of  three  generations  later.  His  journey  led  liiin  westward  through 
what  is  now  the  State  of  Kansas,  through  millions  of  buffaloes,  and  into  the 
toothills  above  what  is  now  the  city  of  Pueblo,  Colorado.  He  tirst  saw,  far 
away,  the  mountain  that  liears  his  name.  November  15,  ISOO,  and  it  was  in 
sight  of  his  party  througli  their  waiderings  for  more  than  a  moiitli.  He 
(lid  not  reach  it,  or  nani*^  it  himself,  and  wr.s  tlnally  cai)tured  while  in  a. 
stockade  he  had  built  on  the  ]{io  (iraiide.  thinking  it  the  Red  Hivei'  and 
that  he  was  within  our  acknowledged  territory. 

This  captivity  took  him  a  long  journey  into  Mexico.  It  was  tilled  with 
incidents  that  read  strange  now,  and  show  liow  little  the  Spaniard  has 
changed  to  the  present  date,  and.  ecjually,  how  much  we  have  changed 
(turselves.  Pike  was  released  in  -July,  lS(f7.  and  was  thanked  by  the  gov- 
ernment for  his  services. 

Long's  expedition  was  also  that  of  a  soldier,  and  he,  too,  is  commemo- 
rated  by  a  lofty  mountain  which  be^rs  liis  name.     His  journey  was  made 


l!   I 


'i» 


P     J 


■I( 


i\ 


iljl 


56 


TEHSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


in  1810-20,  with  valufi))le  results,  but  without  either  the  suffering  or  the 
romance  which  fell  to  the  share  of  Pike.  In  a  follovvinjif  chapter  I  shall 
dwell  moiif  particularly  upon  the  beautiful  region  first  examined  by  these 
men  —  Colorado. 

Much  of  the  region  under  consideration  had  been  at  a  comparatively 
early  date  penetrated  by  a  few  men  of  the  Latin  races.  French  traders 
and  missionaries  in  small  parties  had,  from  time  to  time,  entered  the  pres- 
ent States  of  North  and  South  Dakota,  Montana  and  Idaho,  before  the  tide 
of  Anglo-Saxon  immigration  set  in.     They,  however,  made  no  systematic 


exploration.  Their  scattered 
soon  rotted  away.  'J'liey 
at  colonization,  and  except 
sions.  and  French  names  for 
ities.  all  trace  of  their  pres- 

The  Spaniard,  Coronado, 
from  the  south  early  in  the 
other  Spanish 
fired  alike  by 
ligion  and  for 
desultory  ex- 
the  territory 
Colorado  and 
erected   here 
arrastras  side 
the  cross,  and 
colonized  por- 
are  now  New 
Arizona.    But 
tion    planted 
guished,and  in 
even   entirely 

eitherfrcm  inherent  weakness  or  encroached  upon  by  the  fierce  savages,  who 
I, ad  become  much  more  formidable  by  the  acquisition  of  firearms  and  horses. 
Santa  Fe,  which  was  a  Spanish  colony  fifty  years  l)efore  the  landing  at 
Jamestown  or  Plymouth  Rock,  remained  a  feeble  village  of  adobe  houses, 
until  in  recent  years  rebuilt  by  American  <^nergy  and  thrift. 

The  Anglo-Saxon  is  preeminently  the  colonizing  race.  From  the  first 
day  of  his  landing  on  the  eastern  shores  of  the  continent  he  has  pressed 
eagerly   and  steadily  forward,  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  western  horizon, 


Gexkrai,  Pikk. 


trading-posts,  Imiltof  logs, 
made  no  successful  effort 
for  a  few  picturesque  mis- 
certain  streams  and  local- 
ence  has  disappeared, 
ascended  the  Gila  Kiver 
sixteenth    century,  and 
adventurers, 
the  zeal  for  re- 
gold,  made 
peditions  into 
that  is   now 
Ftah.     They 
and  there  rude 
by  side    with 
to  some  extent 
tions  of  what 
Mexico  and 
the    civiliza- 
by  them  lan- 
some  localities 
disappeared. 


until  1] 
waves 

Th 
years 
he  bell 
iuHuen 
at  leas 
Fast  ai 
the  "pi 

Joh 
accomi 
Jessie 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


57 


until  his  onward  march  has  been,  for  the  present  at  least,  checked  by  the 
waves  of  the  I'acitic. 

That  eminent  statesman.  Senator  Thomas  H.  Benton,  of  Missouri,  for 
years  .'lad  urged  the  construction  of  trans-continental  railway  lines  which 
he  believed  were  destined  to  become  "the  road  to  India."  His  ability  and 
influence  did  much  to  attract  attention  ic  the  importance  of  estab.Ushing 
at  least  one  great  avenue  of  commerce  and  communication  between  the 
East  and  the  West,  and  it  w^as  chiefly  through  him  that  the  exoeditions  of 
the  "path-tinder"  Fremont,  were  authorized  and  equipped. 

John  Charles  Fremont  was  a  native  of  Savannah.  Georgia.  He  was  an 
accomplished  officer  and  engineer,  whose  romantic  wooing  and  winning  of 
Jessie  Benton,  now  liiswidow%  may  yet  be  remembered  l)y  those  who  were 
young  at  that  time.  Fremont's  expeditions  were  organized  with  great  care 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Kansas,  or  Kaw  Kiver,  at  Bent's  Fort  on  the  Arkan- 
sas, and  at  various  points  west  of  St.  Louis. 
He  penetrated  the  central  zone,  passing  o\  er 
the  Rocky,  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascade  Moun- 
tains, and  along  the  entire  Pacihc  CV^ast  from 
the  Columbia  River  to  southern  California. 
He  had  with  him  a  corps  of  scientists,  and  his 
discoveries  were  valuable  contributions  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  times.  His  chief  guide  ws^s 
tlie  famous  Kit  Carson.  He  had  several  en 
counters  w  ith  hostile  Indians,  and  was  fortu- 
nately in  a  position  to  establish  our  right  of 
domain  at  a  critical  time  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

In  1844  Congress  authorized  the  first  survey 
for  a  trans-continental  railway,  and  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  by  Fre- 
mont at  private  expense  for  the  purpose  of  making  this  preliminary  sur- 
vey. He  wrote  a  history  of  his  explorations  wliicli  attracted  great 
attention,  not  only  in  this  country  but  also  in  Europe. 

The  close  of  the  war  gave  a  great  impetus  to  the  settlement  and  de- 
velopment of  this  region.  The  causes  of  this  impetus  iiave  already  been 
alluded  to,  and  are  not  far  to  seek.  The  discharge  from  military  service 
of  such  large  bodies  of  men,  mostly  young,  vigorous  and  intelligent,  was  a 
powerful  stimulus  to  every  kind  of  further  achievement,  both  material 
and  intellectual.  The  tremendous  volume  of  enoi-gy  and  ability  which 
had  been  engaged  in  mutual  destruction,  when  suddenly  released  found  its 
most  natural  and  congenial  field  of  expansion  in  the  West,  to  wliicli  many 


Kii'  Cahson. 


i    ••jl 


1 


ii 

Mill 


ill 


■■\\iyim 

■jli  I'iK 


ii" 


III 


i! 


5{- 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


:\V 


ii 


; ;  i  i 


thousands  of  the  young  men  from  both  armies  soon  found  their  way.  Before 
the  war,  the  border  troubles  in  Kansas,  and  the  prospect  of  similar  trouble 
in  other  sections,  while  attractin^jj  perhaps  a  certain  class,  mij^ht  well  de- 
ter the  peaceful  farmer  seeking  a  home  for  his  family.  That  vexed  question, 
the  source  of  such  l)itter  contention,  as  to  whether  free  or  slave  lal)or 
should  possess  the  virgin  fields  of  the  West  was  now  settled  for  all  time. 
The  Homestead  Law  g'c'e  to  each  settler  in  fee-simple  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  which  to  the  rack-rented  toiler  from  beyond  the  sea 
must  have  seemed  a  princely  estate. 

And  among  the  results  of  the  war  as  connected  with  the  West,  was  the 
acquisition  of  Alaska,  that  magnificent  pendant  to  our  territorial  area.  The 
undisguised  symi)athy  shown  lo  us  in  our  struggle  ))y  Russia  aggravated 
the  strained  relations  alieady  existing  ))etween  that  country  and  Ureat 
Britain,  while  drawing  still  more  closely  the  bonds  of  friendship  previously 
existing  between  her  and  the  Ihiited  States.  Soon  after  the  war,  rather 
than  endanger  these  friendly  relations  by  the  complications  that  seemed 
likely  to  arise  from  the  presence  in  Alaskan  waters  of  our  whalei's  and 
fishermen,  and  perhaps  willing  also  to  perform  an  act  showing  her  inde- 
pendence of  (treat  Britain,  Russia  departed  from  her  traditional  policy  and 
sold  this  teri'itory  to  our  government  for  $7,200,()()(l.  Within  a  few  years 
after  the  purchase  considerable  American  capital  and  several  thousands  of 
our  citizens  were  e.igaged  in  the  mines  and  fisheries  of  that  region. 

The  actual  construction  of  a  ti-an^.  continental  railway  w^as  inaugurated 
during  the  war  for  political  reasons.  At  one  time  there  was  apprehension 
lest  California  and  the  Pacific  Coast  should  secede  from  the  Unif  n.  That 
State,  particularly  in  the  Southern  portion,  had  been  largely  settled  and 
dominated  by  men  of  Southern  birth  and  sentiment,  and  in  ISGl  great 
sympathy  was  manifested  there  with  tbg  secession  movement.  California 
was,  in  fact,  seriously  in  danger  of  being  lost  to  the  Cnion  cause,  and  was 
saved  largely  by  the  efforts  and  eloquence  of  Senators  Baker  and  Mac- 
DcMgal,  the  Rev.  Starr  King,  Leland  Stanford,  and  their  compatriots,  and 
by  the  timely  action  of  the  (Jovernment  in  sending  (ieneral  E.  V.  Sumner 
in  1801  to  command  the  Union  forces  on  the  Pacific  Coast.  The  danger 
that  the  communities  of  the  Pacific  slope,  so  far  from  the  population  of 
the  East,  and  separated  from  it  by  a  vast  tract  of  wilderness,  might  become 
alienated  from  the  Union,  was  plainly  seen  by  the  statesmen  of  that  day, 
and  the  building  of  the  first  trans-continental  line  was  hastened  in  order 
to  establish  a  physical  connection  between  the  Pacific  States  and  the  East- 
ern portion  of  the  republic. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


59 


Since  the  war  many  powerful  States  have  .sprun<^  into  existence,  prac- 
tically six  lines  of  trans-continental  railway  have  been  built,  linking  with 
iron  bands  the  Pacitic  States  to  their  sisters  of  the  East,  resources  that 
hitherto  were  undreamed  of  have  been  discovered,  and  a  volume  of  devel- 
opment that  is  marvelous  and  bewildering  to  contemplate,  has  been 
crowded  into  a  quarter  of  a  century,  making  this  the  brightest  period  in 
our  national  history. 

Returning  again  to  my  personal  story,  in  the  spring  of  lS()i),  having 
been  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Fifth  Ihiited  States  Infantry,  with 
headciuarters  at  Fort  Hays,  Kansas,  I  bade  adieu  to  the  balmy  atmosphere 
of  the  Carolinas  where  1  had  been  on  duty,  and  traversed  by  way  of  the 
then  most  convenient  railway  route  the  several  intervening  States,  most 
of  them  being  then  seen  by  me  for  the  Hrst  time.  The  battle-torn  fields 
of  Virginia  and  southern  Pennsylvania  were  familiar  enough,  but  beyond 
the  picturesque  Alleghanies  the  scenes  were  new  to  me,  and  presented 
ever-varying  beauties  of  landscape.  Crossing  the  Ohio  at  Pittsburg,  a 
day's  run  through  the  populous  and  thriving  States  of  Oliio  anil  Indiana 
with  their  ever-present  woodlands,  extensive  'clearings,  chai'ming  villages 
and  busy  manufacturing  centers,  brought  me  to  the  border  of  the  great 
prairie  region  near  that  spot  where  the  immortal  voyageur.  La  Salle,  tii\st 
set  foot  upon  the  domain  of  the  Illinois,  almost  two  hundred  years  before. 
What  a  marvelous  change!  Not  a  vestige  was  now  left  of  the  powerful 
and  warlike  race  he  found  there  except  their  tribal  name.  Where  they 
had  roamed  was  now  a  mighty  State,  the  undisputed  home  of  the  white 
man,  and  one  of  the  great  commonwealths  of  the  richest  and  largest 
agricultural  valley  on  the  face  of  the  globe.  Where  the  smoke  of  tlieii' 
signal  fires  had  curled  toward  the  skies  now  stood  "the  school-house  on 
the  hill,"  and  the  church-spire  pointing  to  heaven. 

Following  the  pathway  of  the  "Course  of  Empire"  still  westward 
another  day  took  me  l)eyond  the  Mississippi,  across  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri and  the  great  river  which  shares  that  name,  and  I  found  myself 
at  length  at  my  destination  within  the  boundaries  of  the  State  of  Kansas; 
"bleeding  Kansas,"  as  she  was  then  still  termed,  but  now  long  since 
arrived  at  her  imperial  rank  among  the  sisterhood  of  Jigricultiral  States  of 
the  great  Valley  of  the  Mississippi. 

At  that  time  Missouri  was  a  State  of  one  million  seven  hundred  thou- 
sand inhabitants  in  round  numbers.  She  is  possessed  of  boundless  natural 
resources,  and  is  especially  rich  in  mineral  and  agricultural  wealth.  Her 
iron,  coal,  lead  and  zinc  treasures  are  seemingly  exhaustless.     She  is  now 


■i 


imi 


I '  'till 


ill 


«! 


()(> 


PEHRONAL  KtirOLLECTIONS  OF 


'% 


ii« 


'; 


widely  celebrated  for  her  packing'  industries  also,  as  well  as  for  a  wide 
range  of  manufacturing  enterprises  and  industrial  pursuits.  Her  com- 
merce is  very  extensive,  since  a  large  portion  of  the  produce  of  the  north- 
west as  well  as  of  the  supplies  for  that  section  is  borne  upon  the  Missouri 
and  Mississippi  Rivers,  and  over  the  numerous  railroads  of  the  State. 

The  time  of  this  first  journey  of  mine  across  the  central  West  was 
little  more  than  twenty-hve  years  ago  at  this  writing.  To  illustrate  the 
uni)recedented  growth  to  which  I  have  alluded,  1  may  call  the  attention 
of  the  reader  to  one  or  two  instances  out  of  a  very  lai'ge  number. 

The  first  city  after  crossing  the  Alleghanies  was  Pittsburg.  The  last 
]»revious  census  (18(5(1)  gave  her  a  population  of  49,217.  The  first  fol- 
lowing (1S70)  showed  S().()7().  She  is  now  a  city  of  nearly  3(10.(100  inhab- 
itants. A  steamer  starting  from  J^ittsburg,  450  miles  from  New  Yoi-k, 
and  2.000  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  may  sail  the  en- 
tire distance  going,  and  returning,  every  mile  of  it  within  the  great  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  without  once  being  stoppt^d  by  ^i  government  official,  or  being 
taxed  by  any  tariff. 

Then  came  Chicago.  Her  then  last  census  showed  a  population  of 
1(M),20();  the  next  gave  her  21)8.977.  Two  years  later  she  was  a  heap 
of  smouldering  ruins  from  which  she  rose  with  astonishing  rapid- 
ity, and  now  boasts  a  population  of  two  millions  in  round  numbers,  a 
growth  without  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  wor'd.  A  ship  sailing  from 
any  part  of  the  world  may  discharge  its  cargo  at  her  wharves,  a  thousand 
miles  inland.  Her  commercial  success  was  already  widely  spread  at  the 
time  of  my  first  visit,  and  I  regarded  the  city  with  much  interest.  The 
tragedy  of  the  Fort  Dearborn  massacre  was  enacted  on  her  present  site,  at 
as  late  a  date  as  LSI  2. 

Continuing  westward  I  came  to  St.  Louis,  at  that  time  a  city  of  350,000 
inhal)itants  and  the  great  rival  of  Chicago.  This  interesting  city  was 
«)rigi!ially  settled  by  the  Fi'ench.  The  names  of  many  of  its  oldest  families 
are  French,  and  the  city  still  retains  in  its  social  character  many  of  the 
.  ttributes  of  that  polished  and  pleasure-loving  people.  St.  Louis  was  for  a 
long  jieriod  the  chief  seat  of  the  French  power  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and 
also  of  their  fur  trade,  to  which  it  was  admirably  adapted  by  its  situation  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  the  great  western  tril)utary  of  the  Mississippi. 
This  river  was  the  natural  thoroughfare  of  commerce  from  the  Mississippi 
to  the  great  fur-bearing  regions  of  the  northwest,  being  navigated  by  fiat  lioats 
and  other  small  craft,  and.  at  a  later  date,  by  small  stern-\\  heel  steamers  al- 
most up  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.      At  St.  Louis  the  traders  in 


!!i 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


61 


early  times  met  the  representatives  of  munerouslndian  tribes  from  tiie  plains 
and  mountains,  and  at  this  point  caravans  of  hardy  pioneers  were  formed  to 
push  forward  the  ever  advancing  line  of  settlement  still  farther  to  tho  West. 

When  I  passed  through  St.  Louis  in  l.S()l)  its  gi-eat  engineer.  James  ii. 
Eads,  had  turned  his  attention  from  the  construction  of  giin-hoats  and 
engines  of  war  to  the  construction  of  the  avenues  of  peace.  Disregarding 
the  adverse  opinions  of  other  eninent  engineers  he  had  delied  the  ele- 
ments, and  was  sinking  his  iron  shafts  deep  below  the  waters  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  through  the  more  ditlicult  and  treacherous  stratum  of  cpiick- 
sands  beneath,  to  the  solid  foundation.  His  enterprise  was  afterward 
carried  to  a  successful  conclusion,  and  the  great  arch  that  now  unites  the 
banks  of  the  Father  of  Waters  was  completeil  in  the  early  seventies.  His 
later  work,  at  the  mouth  of  the  same  river,  will  add  to  his  high  distinction 
as  an  engineer  of  lu'oad  and  original  conceptions,  and  as  a  far-seeing  and 
pul)lic-spirited  American. 

I  arrived  at  Fort  Ijeavenwortli.  Kansas,  near  the  city  of  the  same 
name,  in  April.  '1  his  post  was  established  in  1S27  by  the  distinguished 
soldier  of  the  \Var  of  1.S12  whose  name  it  perpetuates.  It  was  for  many 
years  the  principal  base  of  military  operations  for  the  vast  country  be- 
tween the  Missouri  Kiver  and  the  Rocky  Mountain  range.  For  many 
years  it  w^as  the  concentration  point  of  a  number  of  hostile  tril)es  of 
Indians,  and  had  its  influence  in  restraining  their  warlike  propensities, 
l)eing  at  that  time  the  extreme  outpost  on  the  western  frontier.  It  is  beauti- 
fully situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Missouri.  al)()ut  six  hundred  miles 
above  its  mouth.  Later  it  was  from  this  point  that  the  war  material 
was  shipped  by  w^agon-traius  westward  across  the  plains  to  the  distant 
military  posts  that  were  established  from  time  to  time  for  the  protection 
of  lines  of  communication  and  settlements.  Here  the  escorts  were  made 
lip  to  conduct  the  great  transportation  trains  laden  with  supplies  for  the 
trof)ps  engaged  in  protecting  the  i)ony  express  and  mail  routes.  Thence 
the  exploring  exi)editions  were  sent  out  in  the  spi-ing.  and  thither  they 
returned  in  the  autumn.  Here  came  the  young  officers  fresh  from  West 
Point,  and  other  officers  older  in  service,  sometimes  bringing  their  fami- 
lies to  share  with  them  the  i)leasures  and  lighten  the  burdens  of  theii- 
service  on  the  distant  frontier.  While  there  was  much  of  danger,  priva- 
tion and  hardship  incident  to  this  remote  frontic:  sprvice,  yet  there  was 
also  much  to  attract  and  interest  the  am1)itious  and  enterprising,  and  to 
furnisli  as  well  an  occasional  romantic  episode  of  the  service.  When 
larger  garrisons    were    gathered    at    Fort    Leavenworth  it   aflorded   an 


! 


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6'2 


rKKSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


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opportunity  for  social  civilitios  {iiid  recreation,  as  well  as  the  amusements 
incident  to  refined  society.  The  officers  were,  as  a  i  iile.  educated  and  in- 
tellij^ent  gentlemen,  while  their  wives  and  daughters  were  cultured  and 
i;entle,  forming  a  society  refined  in  tone,  hut  free  in  j^M'eat  measure  from 
the  rif^id  ti>;!ventionalities  whicli  govern  restricted  localities. 

The  yreat  industrial  interest  at  that  time  in  Leavenworth,  and  also  iii 


^v^^5s5?525r^ 


^ 


Pikk's  I'kak  as  PiKic  Saw  It. 

other  growinj^  cities  of  that  region.  Kansas  City.  Omaha,  and  Council 
Bluff's,  was  the  construction  of  the  two  trans-continental  railway  lines, 
the  Tnion  IWific  and  what  was  then  known  as  the  Kansas  Pacific,  after- 
ward a  hranch  of  the  Union  Pacihc.  Numerous  wagon-trains  of  immi- 
grants were  also  moving  westward,  the  principal  points  of  organization 
and   departure  being  the  towns  above  named.     At  these  points  Bishop 


m 


(iKNEKAI.  XKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


OIJ 


I 


Berkeley   niiglit   1)  ive  seen  the  most  ti^tinji;  illu.stmtioiis  of   his   words. 
"Westward  tlie  C(>  ■  ;^e  of  empire  <^a,kes  it  way." 

Here  were  gal  i  '>red  ea'.'li  yen"  thousands  of  newcomers,  who  with 
their  children  iiov  swell  th'^  ;)()pulation  of  our  i.tr  western  States  and 
Territories.  IIuiim  rs  anl  tra[)i)ers.  t'arniers.  men  from  every  walk  in  lifo, 
every  hundicraft  i-very  learned  pr()f(»ssiou.  and  of  every  business  and 
trade;  ^)n ^?•iarchs  with  famili\s  it. id  beardless  youths,  conjjrregated  in 
great  camps  and  ''outHtted"  for  the  exciting  and  perilous  [»lunge  into  the 
Western  wilderness.  }lere  wei'c  gathered  together  pr<Aisions,  arms,  ani- 
mals for  trans})()rtati()n  and  sui)plies  of  all  sorts,  and  in  these  initial 
camps  were  organized  trains  or  colo  "f^s  in  size  and  personnel  to  conform 
to  the  ideas  of  each  individual  and  fai.iily.  They  selected  their  own  chief' 
nuule  their  own  rules  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  train  ■  » 
camp:  crossed  the  .Missouri  and  journeyed  in  every  direction  ovei'  ^  to 
boundless  plains  and  mountains  of  the  West.  They  traveled  by  ox-te;  i.- , 
with  mule  and  horse  trains,  in  the  saddh'  and  on  foot,  with  advance  guard^ 
scouts,  Hankers  and  rearguards,  establishing  each  night  their  outjv  ts, 
pickets,  main-gu.irds,   and  train  guards  with  almost  military  pi'ecisioii. 

Frcmi  these  points  many  of  the  great  hunting  expeditions  of  a  later  day 
have  started  and  passed  to  the  plains  and  mountains  beyond.  Sir  (Jeorge 
(bu'e.  Sir  -Tohn  (Jarland.  li(ud  Adair,  the  VawI  of  Dunraven,  the  (Jraud 
Duke  Alexis  and  many  others,  organized  parties  here  for  the  exciting 
i'hase  of  the  bulTalo  in  what  was  then  the  great  hunting-ground  of  the 
«'outinent.  It  was  from  these  points  that  the  expedition  of  Captain  Wil- 
liam Marcy,  Fifthly  S.  Infantry,  and  (Jeorge  li.  McClellan.  had  moved  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains  in  bSo:},  and  the  expedition  of  Captain  John  Pope  of 
the  U.  S.  Engineers  penetrated  to  the  Llano  Estacado  in  1S56.  It  was 
through  Council  Bluffs  that  the  little  band  of  Mormons,  under  Brigham 
Young,  passed  over  the  plains  in  1S47  destined  in  intention  for  the  Sand- 
wich Islands,  but  which  located  permanently  in  the  valley  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  in  Utah;  and  it  was  from  this  point  that  the  expedition  organ- 
ized in  1855  under  command  of  (reneral  Albert  Sidney  Johnston  and  marched 
in  1850  against  what  was  then  considered  a  formidal)le  insurrection  of 
these  same  Mormons.  Many  of  the  important  military  expeditions  were 
also  organized  against  the  plains  Indians  from  what  was  for  many  years  re- 
garded as  our  Western  'joundary  of  civilization,  the  Missouri  River.  It  was 
from  a  point  oa  this  bo/der-land  that  the  famous  Doniphan  expedition  set 
out  on  its  long  and  })rilliantly  successful  march  for  the  conquest  of  New 
Mexico  and  Chihuahua ;  said  to  be  the  longest,  most  successful  and  rapid 
march  of  foot-soldiers  in  military  history. 


f 


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rKKSONAL   liKL'Ol.LI'XTlONS  OK 


CIIAITKIi   V. 

PuKHlSTOKtC      A.MKKK  ANS. 

On  Kir  \  nr  I'm:  IIiMi  M  \  v  r\KMi\\  \  —  'I'm:  "  Ni;\v  "  \\i>i;i,ii  —'I'm;  TiMiins  Tii  \i'  \\'i:i!i:  lii:i'i>i!i;  'riii; 

I  Mil  w  —  I' \i.i:i>i,n  iiK    M  \ \  i\  Amliiic  \  —  'I'm:  ( ii. aci  m.  I'ii'cicii  —  'I'm:  ('  m.  \vi:ii  \s  Sk r i.i.  —  'I'm; 

i' \i.i:i>i,ii'iii<'  M  \\  111'  l';riiiii'i;  —  'I'm;  'riiiii:i;  Kisus  nr  A \(u:\  r  Ami:i;i('  \vs  —  'I'm:  .Miunh- 

Miii.iii:iis  —  Tm;  |)\v  mi'I'iii:  .Mammhiii  — i'liinii.KMs  sur   ^  1:1- Smv  i:i)  —  'I'm:   Mm  nds, 

AM)  W'li  \  !■ 'I'moN    Imhcv'I'io —  l'niii'i:ssiiii  I'ii'nam's  l>i:s(iiin  ms  m-  .Minvii-Ri  ii.ii- 

i;i{s   ni'  ()mii  \'ai.i.i;v — l-lviiiKNt'i;  ni'    a  Si  cciossinv    ni'   I;  \('i:s — Kkmmvs  in 

WisciiNsiN  —  I'si;  1)1'   Ciii-i'KK —  IIm\v  Tin:  .Miirsit-Mrii. 111:11   l,ivi:i) — Ills 

NiMiii;us  —  (»m:  Sisiii  1,  Mi  I;i:m  mmm;  'rKiiii-;  —  Sioats  m-   llis   Mi(ii:\- 

TliiN   —  Nil  'I'l!  VDIIIiiSS  III'  CiiMIMi    III!  ( 'i  )Mi  T  i;si'  — '{"111;    l»i:sll\>    III' 

Tin:  Ti;iiii;s  in  Mudkun  Timks —  I'liui  kssou  I'l  tn am's  Vikws. 

N    the  ori^'iii  of   tlici  hmI    man  history  is  siloiit.  altliouj^h  tiiere 
arc  ruins  in  AiH('i"i<'a  wliich  [>fohahly  date  hackward  t(>  a  tiiii(3 
witliiii  five  hmah-cd  yeai's  of  the  foiindation  of  Hahyh)!!.     Vari- 
ous theories  coiicerniii^'  the  hirth|>laee  of  the  IiMHari  race  have 
heeii  enthusiastically  ad\'ocat(Ml  at  dilTcrcnt  times,  hut  only  to 
he  linally  ahaiuhtned  ;  and  i»hih)so|»lii('al  iiKjuiry  thi'ough  the 
study   of   laujj^ua^es.  anti(iuities.   arts,    traditions  and   similar 
methods,   are  our  only  jj:uides  to-(hiy  as   they  were  to  (uir  fatliers  four 
centuries  a^'o. 

It  is  pi'ohahle  that  la^  whom  we  rail  the  Indian,  the  red  man  of 
North  America,  is  not  the  i)riin<'va]  man  of  tlie  continent.  America  is 
a  "new  world"  only  to  us.  It  is  also  a  very  old  world.  Prehistoric  re- 
mains abound,  and  most  of  these  v.e  \'(>ry  dimly  understand  the  meaning 
of.  They  ^n»  far  behind  everything  wliich  we  call  history,  which,  indeed, 
is  comparatively  a  very  i-ecent  invention.  There  were  trihes  and  races 
here  lonu:  before  the  Indian  came,  whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of 
the  latter.  The  oldest  of  his  traditions  tell  nothinjj:  to  him  or  to  us  of 
the  men  whose  place  he  took.  Their  occupancy  ended  a^'es  a^o,  beyond 
I'emote  tradition,  almost  beyond  iiupiiry.  Hut  their  weajtons.  mounds 
and  tokens  tell  us  something  of  their  stoi-y.  They  made  at  least  a  record 
that  shows  that  they  were  here — and  are  lon^'  de])arted. 

It  is  believed  that  there  was  at  l(>ast  one  i)aleolithic  race  in  America 
i)efore  the  advent  of  the  race  found  here  by  Columbus.  They  were  alike 
busy  in  their  time  in  makinj,^  the  only  tools  known  to  human  hands  during 


r 


■/..-•J 


(65) 


SITTING   BULL.-SKK   1'a.,k  :J1j. 


r\      1  r 


(i 


I!  ;     !' 

I  li    '' 


:"l! 


.4 


m 


I    tl 


f.fi 


the  1 


Ix'hii 
r\|t('i 
ciimc 
ill  w 
The 

tiller 

the  II 
li 
to  us 
a  ten 

Aj^MSS 

Yet  t 
Anier 
ceede( 
slioet 
will  }) 
for  hi: 
were  d 
This  SI 

\Vl 
same  i 
Whitn 
Pacific 
or  the 
entire] 
depth 
a  high 
brated 
This  h 
of  the 

Th( 
ure  an 
His  ui 
had  a  i 
To  sue 
the  A 
conten 


(JKNKKAI,  NKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


67 


tlio  Um\x  ji<^ps  (if  cliipiKMl  Hint,  and  thcso,  both  tlioro  and  litM'o,  they  left 
licliind  tlit'ni;  tlicy  ai«'  alnmst  or  (piite  alilve  wluTcver  fonnd.  so  that  no 
«'\p(>ri«Mi('tHl  archa'olof^'ist  would  nndrrtako  to  say  whether  an  arn»\v-head 
eanie  from  Wisconsin  or  from  some  drift-hank  in  Knrope.  Vet  the  times 
in  whi<'h  they  n's|M'('tively  lived  may  have  heen  thonsands  of  years  apart. 
The  Ameriean  Indian  was  him.self  of  that  ajj;e,  and  knew  nothing'  of  snud- 
tin^'  metals  when  the  discoverers  foniid  him.  So  also  had  his  predecessor, 
the  monnd-hnildt'r.  lived  and  worked  nidvnown  a^'es  before  him. 

In  America  there  was,  as  also  in  northern  Knrope.  a  lon^  period  known 
to  us  now  as  the  "^dacial  epoch."  This  vast  thick  .sea  of  solid  ice  covered 
a  territory  whose  hounds  are  now  well  known.  When,  in  human  chronol- 
oy^y,  this  jieriod  was,  no  s(ueiiti.st  preiMsely  knows.  I'rofe.ssor  Louis 
.\pissiz  believed  that  it  was  "' before  the  dawn  of  the  present  creation." 
Yet  there  are  sonu*  evidences  that  would  indicate  that  the  prehistoric 
American  was  living'  then.  If,  in  this  country,  the  paleolithic  a^e  suc- 
ceeded th(»  j^lacial  eitoch.  and  he  did  not  come  u)itil  after  the  ^reat  ice- 
sln^et  had  melted,  his  residence  dates  back  nuiny  thousand  years.  No  one 
will  probably  ever  even  approxi unite ly  know  the  time  of  his  first  comiufi:, 
for  his  stone  implements  are  said  to  be  mixed  with  the  j^ravel-lieaps  that 
were  carried  southward  in  its  nuiss  and  left  in  winrows  when  it  melted. 
This  statement,  however  has  bt^en  seriously  questioned. 

When  the  celebrated  •' Calaveras  skull  "was  found  in  California — the 
same  that  is  mentioned  in  one  of  Bret  Harte's  early  l)allads  —  Professor 
Whitney  defended  its  genuineness,  and  stated  that  man  had  existed  on  the 
Pacific  Coast  *'  prior  to  the  existence  of  the  nuistodon  or  the  elepliant 
or  the  glacial  period,  and  at  a  time  when  animal  and  vegetable  life  were 
entirely  different  from  what  they  are  now."  This  skull  was  found  at  a 
depth  of  180  feet.  The  skull  itself  gives  contradictory  evidence.  It  is  of 
a  higher  type  than  the  supposed  head  of  the  primeval  man.  Another  cele- 
brated find,  in  Europe,  was  the  Neanderthal  skull,  of  a  very  low  type. 
This  last  has  stood  to  the  world  of  (;ience  as  the  skull  of  the  most  ancient 
of  the  human  race. 

The  European  paleolithic  man  is  thus  descril)ed:  ?Te  was  short  of  stat- 
ure and  strong  of  limb.  His  head  was  long  in  proportion  to  its  l)readth- 
His  under  jaw  was  square  and  heavy,  his  chin  sloped  backward,  and  he 
had  a  retreating  forehead.  His  skull  was  small  in  front  and  large  l)ehind. 
To  such  a  man  the  Calaveras  skull  did  not  belong.  The  question  whether 
the  American  ancient  man  was  of  a  higher  type  than  his  European 
contemporary,  can  never  be  decided  with  only  these  two  very  ancient  crania 


!if 


'm'n 


•m 


m 


H 


:M;|I 


Jj-w  <>b*,irtiUiii£*,difai;,^ 


68 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


*^^^f»«*w. 


I'l.AN'    UK    .MulNDS    Al'   M  AKIiri'l'A.    Olllo. 


to  jud^e  by.  The  only  fact  that  is  certain  beyond  (juestion  is  that,  in 
America  as  in  Enrope,  men  lived  at  a  time  almost  inconceivably  ancient, 
■dvA  that  he  whom  we  know  as  the  American  Indian,  is  held  to  be  a  late 
comer;  a  comparatively  modern  man. 

There  are.  besides  the  utterly  unknown  men,  one  of  whom  was  once 
the  owner  of  the  Calaveras  skull,  at  least  three  kinds  of  ancient  Ameri- 
cans: the  cave-dwellci's,  the 
clilT-dwellers  and  the  mound- 
builders.  Two  of  these  races, 
the  two  lirst-named.  had  tlu'ir 
time  in  Europe  also.  But  the 
last,  the  mouiid-builder,  may 
be  i-e^nirded  as  beinjjj  strictly 
Anu'rican.  All  the  ancient 
Americans  are  named  from  the 
I'eiuains  they  left  indicating 
their  mode  of  life.  Those  of 
the  cave-dweller  are  rare,  those 
of  the  clift'-dweller  still  more  numerous,  and  those  of  the  mound-builder  are 
the  most  numerous  and  striking  of  all.  This  nuin  is  su,)i)osed  to  have  been 
.he  immediate  predecessor  of  the  Indian.  Many  clilT-dwellings  are  now 
known  in  the  Western  portioiis  of  the  I'nited  States,  and  have  been  ex- 
phu'ed  in  recent  years.  It  is  thon^dit  by  some  that  living  in  chambers  dujjf 
in  the  soft  strata  of  clitTs.  or  in  caves,  is  much  the  same  thing,  and  that  the 
same  people  practi<'«Hl  both  at  the  same  time.  Even  if  this  were  true. 
tli3re  was  a  still  older  I'ace  who  are  known  commonly  as  cave-dwellers. 
They  were  here  when  the  mastodon  was.  This^itiautic  beast,  whose  bones 
have  frequently  been  found  in  recent  years,  was  once  a  common  American 
animal. and  Muds  have  been  made  which  stranjj^ely  show  his  connection  with 
the  primeval  savages,  who  occulted  what  is  now  the  I'nited  States  at  the 
same  time  he  did.  When  his  huge  bulk  became  mired  in  the  (juicksan  Is 
of  some  slough,  they  found  him  there,  and  attacked  him  with  stones,  and 
shot  hundreds  of  tlint-tii)pe(l  arrows  into  him,  and  finally  built  huge  tires 
around  him,  and  all  these  things  be^came  known  thousands  of  years  after- 
ward as  plainly  as  though  written  upon  the  pages  of  a  book.  A  case  of 
this  kind  was  found  by  Dr.  Koch,  in  (iasconade  County  in  Missouri,  and 
another  similar  find  was  made  in  Brinton  County  in  the  same  State: 
others  have  been  made  in  b)wa.  Nebraska  and  Ohio.  In  the  museums 
there  are  ancient  pipes  made  in  imitati(.n  of  the  elephant  and  mastodon. 


! 

,\ 

~ 

GENERAL  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


69 


Kii.i,iN(!   rill'.  M  \MMnrii. 


Oils  in  the  j^n-oat  Mississipiti  Valley.  This  iiicliules  not  niei'oly  the  act- 
ual valley  of  that  rivei'.  l)ut  a  lai"<j:(^  extent  of  eountiT  extending'  from 
ihe  (Jreat  Lakes  to  the  (Jnlf  of  Mi^xico.  and  from  tlie  Alle^'iianies  to 
the  borders  of  the  hi^di  ])lateau  of  the  Western  i)Iains.  The  sti'iM-tiii-es  of 
these  people  are  peculiar,  and  i^ive  tln^  nam(»  by  which  we  desi^niate 
them.  They  are  totally  unlike  those  of  any  peoi)le  w  ho  built  mounds  in 
Europe,  or  even  in  South  America.     They  made  stockades,  fortihcations. 


1  il 


Mm 
if" 


li' 


ri 


■  ,'  III 


70 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OK 


and  walk'd  villages.  These  were  solid  and  massive,  and  had  distinctive 
forms  and  often  great  extent.  A  peculiarity  of  their  mounds  is  that 
some  of  them  had  also  a  distinctly  cerehionial  signihcance.  They  were 
not  hunters  and  wandering  savages,  and  they  Hlled  a  broad  domain  with  a 
life  peculiar  to  themselves,  using  all  its  varied  resources.  They  traveled 
the  rivers,  farmed,  and  were  permanent  residents  for  a  long  period  of 
time. 

The  immense  nunibei"  of  their  structures  is  remarkable.  Ten  thou- 
sand simple  mounds  iia\  e  been  found  in  Ohio  ah)ne,  besides  many  hundred 
enclosures  of  a  different  nature.  Their  magnitude  is  equally  surprising. 
One  series  of  works  has  about  twenty  miles  of  well-deHned  embankments. 
Walls  are  sometimes  thirty  feet  in  height,  and  enclose  from  fifty  to  four 
hundred  acres.  There  are  i)yrt;mids  a  hundred  feet  high  and  covering  six- 
teen acres,  divided  into  wide  terraces  that  are  three  hundred  feet  long  and 
fifty  feet  wide,  ^)nly  the  pyramids  of  Egypt  exceed  these  in  magnitude 
among  the  very  ancient  w^orks  of  men.  There  were  towers  or  lookout 
stations,  made  of  earth,  that  were  sixty  to  ninety  feet  high.  The  variety  of 
these  mounds  is  great  and  their  distribution  very  wide.  Sometime  there 
were  vast  game-drives,  in  which  the  aninuils  to  be  hunted  w^ere  erected  in 
efligy.  There  were  garden-beds,  covering  hundreds  of  acres,  made  in 
curious  patterns.  There  were  lines  and  groups  of  burial  mounds.  There 
were  village-rings,  dance-rings,  lodge-circles,  hut-rings  and  the  platforms 
of  temples. 

Leaving  out  of  the  discussion  the  disputes  of  the  ethnologists  about 
who  these  mound-builders  really  were,  and  when  they  were,  successive 
occupations,  different  tribes,  etc.,  there  is  still  space  for  only  leading  facts. 
Professor  Putnam  says : 

"In  the  great  Ohio  valley  we  have  found  places  of  contact  and  mixture  of  two  races 
and  have  made  out  nmch  of  interest,  telling  of  conflict  and  defeat,  of  tlio  con(juered  and 
the  conquerors.  The  long,  narrow-headed  {)eo|)le  of  the  north,  who  can  be  traced  from 
die  Pacific  to  the  Atlantic,  extending  down  both  coasts,  and  extending  their  branches  to 
the  interior,  meeting  the  short-headed  southern  race  here  antl  there.  .  .  .  After  the 
rivers  cut  their  way  through  the  glacial  gravels,  leaving  great  alluvial  j)lains  on  their  bor- 
ders, a  race  of  men  with  short,  broad  heads  reached  the  vuUev  from  the  southwest.  Here 
they  cultivated  the  land,  raised  crops  of  corn  and  vciretables.  and  became  skilled  artisans 
in  stone  and  their  native  metals,  in  shell  ami  terra-cotta.  making  weapons,  ornaments 
and  utensils  of  various  kinds.  Here  were  tluMr  places  of  worship.  Here  were  their 
towns,  often  surrounded  by  earth  embankments,  their  fixed  places  for  burning  their  dead, 
their  altars  of  clav.  where  ofFerinirs  and  ornaments  by  thousands  were  tiirown  upon  tin* 
fire.      Upon  the  hills  near  by  were  their  places  of  refuge   or   fortified    towns.      Preceding 


these  we 
have  lost 
seem  to 
ten  thouf 
and  mam 
inhabitec 

Thei 
tween 
any  evi( 
and  diff 
aries  w( 
opinion 
period  o 
the  grea 
imitatec 
tribes  of 
the  Indi: 
those  th( 
we  call  t 
him.     M 
mound-b 
remnant; 
same  pro 

Some 
surveyed 
abounds 
small  te 
Prairie  d 
animals  j 
live  beyo 
the  strea 
sented. 
ing ;  pan 
as  flying 
and  tishe 
been  mad 

Tn   th 
niound-bi 


•Twenty 
M-5 


GENERAL  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


71 


these  were  the  people  of  the  ])re-^laciiil  ijfravt'ls.  Tlie  iinpU'iiuMits  which  pre-^hiciul  iiieii 
have  h)st  have  been  found  in  the  Miami  vaUey,  as  in  tlie  Delaware  valley.  This  would 
seem  to  <r\\i'  a  niininuuri  anti(|uitv  of  man's  existence  in  the  Ohio  valley  of  from  eiyht  to 
ten  thousand  years.  From  the  time  when  man  was  the  contemporarv  of  the  mastodon 
and  mammoth  to  the  settlement  of  the  retfion  by  our  own  race,  successive  peoples  hav(^ 
inhabited  this  valley."* 

There  is  evidence  that  there  was  a  correspondence  or  association  l)e- 
tween  the  mound-builder  and  the  Indian,  notwithstandino  the  laclv  of 
any  evidence  of  this  in  Indian  tradition.  Different  chi.sses  of  earthworks 
and  different  tribes  of  Indians  have  l)een  found  in  districts  whose  bound- 
jiries  were  remarkably  similar  to  each  other.  There  was,  as  is  now  the 
opinion  of  the  majority,  a  succession  of  races  extending  through  a  long 
period  of  time  l)efore  the  white  man  came.  We  have  the  monuments  of 
the  greatest  of  these,  who  remained  longest,  with  the  works  of  those  who 
imitated  them  or  learned  from  them,  or  were  isolated  and  less  advanced 
tribes  of  the  same  stock.  There  is  a  generally-received  opinion  that  when 
the  Indian  came,  no  one  knows  from  where,  and  perhaps  a  man  unlike 
those  the  discoverers  found  except  in  general  features,  he  found  him  whom 
w^e  call  the  mound-builder,  and  that  the  latter  was  finally  exterminated  by 
him.  Much  of  this  opinion  is  based  upon  the  supposed  character  of  the 
mound-builder  and  the  known  character  of  the  modern  Indian,  and  the 
remnants  of  the  Pueblo  tribes  of  the  West  are  taken  as  examples  of  the 
same  process. 

Some  of  the  ideas  of  the  mound-builders  are  illustrated  by  the  works 
surveyed  in  modern  times  in  various  localities.  The  State  of  Wisconsin 
a.bounds  in  eml)lematic  mounds.  This  variety  is,  however,  confined  to  a 
small  territory  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  State,  a  few  n  ites  from 
Prairie  du  Chien.  The  mounds  there  are  made  to  reseml)le  the  birds  and 
animals  found  in  that  country.  Few-,  if  any.  animals  are  represented  that 
live  beyond  those  limits.  The  effigies  are  located  on  hill-tops  overlooking 
the  streams  and  lakes  of  that  country.  There  are  many  species  repre- 
sented. Elk.  moose,  and  all  the  grazing  animals  are  represented  as  feed- 
ing; panthers  and  wolves  as  fighting;  geese,  ducks,  eagles,  hawks,  etc., 
as  flying;  squirrels,  raccoons  and  foxes  as  running;  re[)tiles  as  crawling, 
and  fishes  and  turtles  as  swimming.  All  these eliigies  in  earth  seem  to  have 
been  made  by  a  superstitious  people,  or  to  indicate  toteniic  so,'ieties. 

In  the  same  State  are  the  copper  mines  that  were  worked  by  the 
mound-builders,  and  some  of  the  tools  thev  used  in  them  have  also  been 


!  Mi 


I  ! :;  i!!,- 


''Hf: 


I      I* 


*Twenty-iiecoud  Report  Peal)ody  Muspinn,  paifo  '>:{. 
M— 5 


ftr 


'% 


■  (•' 


I 


;|El 


72 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


Si 


found.  They  are  rude,  but  are  the  implements  of  a  people  who  were  not 
^ava^es.  They  did  not  know  anything  about  mechanical  appliances  such 
as  the  wheel  and  pulley,  and  could  not  make  a  windlass,  yet  they  mined 
the  copper  and  made  out  of  it  knives,  spear-heads,  axes,  chisels,  needles 
and  ornaments. 

Mounds  which  were  used  exclusively  as  graves  are  widely  scattered  and 
almost  innumera))le.  Many  of  them  have  been  excavated,  and  so  many 
bones  and  relics  have  been  found  that  we  now  know  tolerably  v>fell  what 
variety  of  man  the  m(uind-bnilder  was.  He  was  not  like  the  present 
Indian.      One  of   his   characteristics  was    that    he    was    "  prognathous." 

His  front  teeth  came  evenly  together  like 
nippers,  and  not  as  ours  now  do.  those  of 
the  under  jaw  behind  those  of  the  uppei- 
when  the  mouth  is  closed. 

We  also  know  that  the  mound-builder  in- 
cluded in  his  activities  those  of  the  farmer, 
the  hunter  and  the  warrior.  His  mounds 
illustrate  all  these  occupations.  They  also 
show  in  what  localities  he  had  most  ene- 
mies. In  some  districts  his  defensive  earth- 
works are  more  extensive  and  formidaljle 
than  those  of  modern  times.  Wherever 
they  were  their  occupation  was  intended  to 
be  permanent.  Like  ourselves,  they  pio- 
neered to  the  westward,  and  their  remains 
west  of  the  Missouri  are  of  a  less  extensive 
and  permanent  character  than  those  further 
to  the  east.  Wherever  they  were  they  adapted  themselves  to  the  country 
and  to  their  surroundings. 

How  numy  of  these  people  there  were  is  of  course  a  matter  of  specula- 
tion and  conjecture.  Many  antiquarians  suppose  them  to  have  been  \ery 
numerous ;  that  there  wei'e  as  many  of  them  as  there  were  white  Ameri- 
cans at  the  beginning  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  ]\Iany  theories  are  held, 
with  the  prevailing  opinion  that  they  were  very  numerous,  and  that  they 
developed  the  country,  occupied  it.  a  ?id  did  (juite  us  well  in  advancement 
as  could  have  been  expected  of  a  peopf  t'bo  had  -lo  iron,  and  no  domestic 
animals  except  the  dog. 

It  may  be  mentioned  that  there  was  f.  iiiu  hen  when  tho  white  men 
came,  at  least  one  tribe  that  were  d'ji  Norti'.   A  in- -i  lean  iidians  in  the 


Skuli,,  Ima(5k  Vases,  and  Cips  or 
TriK  ^[()^^"l)-Hr^,l)I;Hs, 


sense  t 
mound- 
regions 
many  p 
surroun 
the  city 
that  rej. 

The 
stated  v 

Thej 
United 
years  a^ 

The\ 

The} 
had  at  1 

The> 
farmers, 

Thej 
theory, 
ideas  of 
nial  cus 
mense  si 
tumuli. 

They 
grew  an 

to  us  CO] 

necessiti 
Ther 
mastodo 
vived  th 
vived  it 
between 
der.  It 
vived  it 
Whe 
stayed, 
America 
the  ston 
ican    In( 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


78 


sense  the  rest  were,  and  whom  many  have  supposed  to  be  the  last  of  the 
mound-builders.  These  were  the  Natchez,  extending  through  the  Gulf 
regions.  Thoy  were  sun-worshippers  and  mound-builders,  differing  in 
many  prominent  respects  from  the  Indians  further  north,  and  oven  fro^; 
surrounding  tril)es.  Some  of  the  largest  of  their  mounds  are  located  near 
the  city  of  Natchez,  in  Mississippi,  and  a  remnant  of  tho  tribe  still  lives  in 
that  region. 

The  sum  of  general  information  about  the  mound-builders  may  be 
stated  very  briefly  as  follows  : 

They  were  the  first  people  to  c/ccupy  the  territory  which  is  now  the 
United  States  after  the  glacial  epoch,  and  were  here  at  least  ten  thousand 
years  ago. 

They  were  widely  extended,  and  numbered  at  least  several  millions. 

They  had  almost  nothing  that  semi-civilized  peoples  now  possess,  yet 
had  at  least  taken  the  first  step  toward  modern  civilization. 

They  were  an  industrious  and  laborious  people,  not  nonuids;  and  were 
farmers,  hunters,  lighters. 

They  were  intensely  religious,  but  their  precise  forms  of  faith,  their 
theory,  belief  and  hope  are  all  unknown.  Their  methods  of  expressing 
ideas  of  sacred  or  religious  thought  and  enacting  their  social  and  ceremo- 
nial customs  was  a  complicated  and  toils(Hne  one.  which  cost  them  an  im- 
mense sum  of  labor  in  the  building  of  emblenuitic  mounds  and  burial 
tumuli, 

They  cultivated  corn  (maize)  as  their  chief  agricultural  product,  and 
grew  and  smoked  to])acco.  Those  two  products,  with  probably  potatoes, 
to  us  comparatively  new,  are  therefore  to  be  included  among  the  ancient 
necessities  of  mankind. 

There  is  reason  for  believing  that  the  mound-])uilder  knew  the  American 
mastodon  '.nd  mammoth,  and  they  were  his  prey.  These  luige  beasts  sur- 
vived the  ice-age,  but  it  is  not  known  what  human  being  it  was  that  sui 
vived  it  with  them.  There  may  possibly  have  been  a  long  period  interveniuij 
between  the  end  of  the  glacial  epoch  and  the  appearance  of  the  mound-b  i- 
der.  It  is,  on  the  other  hand,  not  unreasonable  to  suppose  tliat  they  sur- 
vived it  together. 

Where  the  mound-builder  came  from,  when  he  came,  how  long  he 
stayed,  are  facts  absolutely  unknown.     Tn  these  problems  the  prehistoric 
American  does  not  stand  alone.     Niuther  does  any  man  know  who  hewed 
the  stones  of  Baal  beck,  and  tiie  origin  and  date  of  the  coming  of  our  Amc 
ican   Indian  are  equally  unknown.      We  now  turn  to  the  latter  as   the 


f!ii; 


II 


m 


i    '<: 


in 


m 


■A; 


;:;h 


74 


PERSONAL  HEC(.LLECTIONS  OF 


supposed  successoi-  of  the  mound-builder.  The  course  of  migration  of  all  the 


aboriginal  tribes  of  the 
ing  the  Appalachians, 
quo  is,  the  Dakota 
many  others,  seems  to 
west.  Prior  to  their 
sippi  it  had  been  gen- 


Cl  I'S    AM)    ,l.\l 


United  States,  includ- 
the  Cher(jkees,  the  Iro- 
g  -oup  of  tribes  and 
have  been  f'-om  the 
crossing  the  Missis- 
erally  from  the  south. 


It  is  within  the  geographical  area  occupied  by  these  tribes  after  coming 
east  of  this  rivei",  that  great  numbers  of  American  antiquities  are  found. 

The  famous  Dighton  Kock  inscription  was  at  one  time  ascribed  to  the 
Northmen,  but  now  it  is  believed  to  be  merely  the  record  of  a  battle  be- 
tween two  Indian  tribes.  A  relic  was  found  near  Wheeling.  West  Vir- 
ginia, in  1SJ38,  which  is  believed  to  be  of  a  comparatively  early  period, 
namely  1328.  It  appears  to  corroborate  the  traditions  respecting  a  white 
race,  as  che  Northmen,  in  pre-Colum])ian  times  in  this  part  of  America. 

The  Skeleton  in  Armor,  the  subject  of  one  of  Longfellow's  famous  bal- 
lads, was  discoverc^d  near  Fall  lUver  and  was  supposed  to  belong  to  some 
shipwrecked  adventurer,  but  now  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  it  must  have 
been  a  North  American  Indian,  as  it  had  the  conical  formation  of  tiie 
skull  peculiar  to  that  race,  and  the  state  of  preservation  of  the  flesh  and 
bones  proved  that  it  could  not  have  been  of  very  ancient  date. 

It  is  an  undoubted  fact  that  the  arts  of  the  a))origines  have  declined 
since  the  introduction  of  EiTVopean  skill  and  knowledge.  It  was  not 
likely  that  an  Indian  would  continue  to  manufacture  his  earthen  pots, 
or  bows  and  arrows  when  by  the  exchange  of  a  few  skins  h*^  could  obtain 
a  brass  kettle  or  a  gun.  The  natives  had  no  skill  in  fusion  ;  they  melted 
no  iron  ;  they  made  no  glass  ;  they  knew  nothing  of  the  potter's  wheel 
or  the  lathe.  By  a  kind  of  hand  loom  they  wove  the  fibers  of  certain 
plants  into  coarse  cloth  for  garments,  and  manufactured  nets  from  rushes, 
and  had  twine  of  their  own  n  ike.  They  employed  fire  for  the  purpose 
of  felling  trees,  as  they  had  only  stone  axes  which  had  not  the  h  irdness  or 
sharpness  necessary  to  that  work.  With  regard  to  garments,  dressed  skii\-. 
were  their  staple  reliance,  while  their  court  dresses  had  a  nuintle  of  bc^t 
skins  sometimes  covered  with  shining  plates  of  mica.  Their  canoes  were 
of  bark  or  of  wood,  and  theii  war  clubs  of  heavy  iron-wood  or  maple. 

The  characteristics  of  the  Indian  as  he  was  when  the  white  men 
found  him  here  will  be  discussed  in  succeeding  chapters.  His  relations 
to  the  tribes  which  preceded  him.  and  which  he  in  his  turn  found  when 
he   came,  can  only  be  conjectured.     All  the  more  ancient   races,   mound- 


buildei 
of  wil( 
or  crow 
sure, 
by  whi( 
territoi 
in  the 

The 
unknot 
been  t 
the  Vo 
inal  sei 
c'es,    A 
down  n\ 
Second, 
])erior  i 
the  Oji 
the  man 
over  th( 
Lakes  a 
drove    t 
extensix 
of  the  ! 
lro(iuoi> 
pernuuK 

Supi 
by  whic 
territor 
States  ( 
unknow 
whom  t 
had  losi 
so  long 
contest 
any  anc 
Indian  i 
ter  had 

Our 
lack  of 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


75 


builders,  cliff-dwellers  and  I'ueblos,  seem  to  have  been  invaded  by  hordes 
of  wilder  tribes,  who  either  drove  them  from  their  ancient  i)()ssessions, 
or  crowded  them,  and  encroached  upon  them  with  a  constant  liostile  pres- 
sure. The  prehistoric  American  did  not  die  out  of  himself.  The  process 
by  which  he  was  finally  shut  up  in  hisclilT-dweliin^'somiound-fortresses,  his 
territory  limited,  his  numbers  decimated,  may  be  studied  in  modern  times 
in  the  Hnal  result  of  the  long  contest  between  the  Pueblo  aiul  the  Apache. 

The  initial  point  of  the  predatory  migrations  of  these  later  tribes  is 
unknown,  but  according  to  the  latesl  investigati(ms  there  seem  to  have 
been  three  centers.  First,  the  valley  of 
the  Columbia,  far  to  the  north,  the  orig- 
inal seat  of  such  tribes  as  the  C'onum- 
e'es,  Apaches,  etc.  These  crowded 
down  upon  the  clitt'-dwellersand  Pueblos. 
Second,  the  peninsula  between  Lake  Su- 
perior and  l^ake  Michigan,  the  home  of 
the  Ojibways  and  Athabascans,  and  of 
the  many  Algonquin  tribes  which  spread 
over  the  entire  region  between  theClreat 
Lakes  and  the  Ohio  River,  and  finally 
drove  the  mound-builders  from  their 
extensive  seats.  Third,  the  region  north 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  where  the 
Iro(iuois  tribes  seem  to  have  had  their 
pernument  home. 

Supposing  this  theory  of  the  process 
by  Avhich  the  savage  possession  of  the 
territory  now  eml)raced  in  the  I'nited 
States  changed  hands  to  be  correct,  th^e  process  of  coiupiest  occupied  an 
unknown  time;  perhaps  ages.  It  Wa-<  a  time  f*o  long  that  the  Indians 
whom  the  white  men  found  here  had  amv  trr.ditio«s  of  its  beginning,  and 
had  lost  the  record  of  even  its  end.  In  (»)irlii^r  w<Hrds.  they  had  tluii  been 
so  long  in  exclusive  possession  that  the  rernhfutiest  r»^*ollection  of  the  original 
contest  had  faded  out  of  tribal  memory.  Tlad*^  circumstance,  this  lack  of 
any  ancient  tradition,  has  often  been  used  as  an  argument  to  show  that 
[ndian  and  mound-builder  had  never  come  into  contact,  and  that  the  lat- 
ter had  gone  before  the  former  came. 

Our   Indian,   strange  in   many  respects,   is   es^pecially   peculiar  in  his 
lack  of  a  history.    He  is  a  man  who  lives  in  the  pre.sent,  int*- rested  in  only 


Gt>ri'i;i{  Tools  am'  \\'i'.ai'ons  .Mauk  by 
Tiiic  .MoiMi-iJi  ii.1)i:ks. 


!   ,!' 


70 


I'KIJSONAI,     KECOLLKCTIONS    OK 


f\ 


\<U' 


'^■^ 


ii.ni«ti 


so  iiiiich  of  tlie  past  as  alT'ccts  tlio  ])rosoiit  coiHlitioii  of  liinisolf  or  liis 
liilx'.  lie  iiia(i(>  no  rcroi-ds  tli.it  woro  pcniiaiiunt.  lie  Imilt  no  nioiiiiDKMits. 
liis  hahitatioiis  were  opluMiiccjiI  in  structure.  Faru)iii;:  little  and  liuutiii;.r 
iiiucli,  he  was  for  a^'es  a  wide  wimdei-er  ovei-  the  jtrinieval  American 
wilderness,  knowiu}^  paths  no  others  knew,  strewing'  the  forests  with  the 
ashes  of  his  camp-lires.  ^'oin^  from  phiee  to  place  hy  an  instinct  which  he 
shared  with  the  hirds.  homeless,  yet  everywhere  at  home.  He  knew  how 
to  write  the  picture-writinjjj  which  was  as  [»lain  to  him  as  ours  is  to  us ;  hut 
thes(>  wi'itinjjfs  wen^  nuide  ciiiefly  on  tla^  skins  of  hearts  when  made  at  all. 
and  ixM'ished  with  him.  lie  left  nature  undist ui'hed  hy  changes.  li\  in<i:  with 
her  as  he  found  her.  Tla^  authenticity  of  c^very  scratched  rock  oi*  pictured 
clilT  is  disputed  as  having  Ixmmi  liis  handiwork.  Like  all  sava^(»s  h(^  knew 
nothin^f  of  history  or  its  value,  and  made  none  to  he  remt  uihered  heyoiul 
his  own  time. 

In  respect  to  this  uni<(ue  characte]-  it  may  he  stated  here,  as  an  end  of 
the  discussion  concerning  him  so  far  as  this  xolinne  is  concerned,  that  all 
the  investiji'ations  of  the  'thnoloj^ists  in  re<jjard  to  his  actual  origin,  who 
he  is.  to  whom  alli'Ml.  v  Ik.  :  <  and  when  he  came,  seem  to  have  heen  in 
vain.  A  thousand  theories  have  he,"?;  -dvanced  and  aitandonod.  Lven  the 
far-reachin<;  roots  of  human  laiigiui^'e  afford  no  ^niide  further  than  the 
establishing  of  a  relationshi})  between  tribes  living  far  ai)art.  It  seems 
almost  a  settled  conclusion  now  tliat  lie  cannot  even  be  considered  a  kins- 
man of  any  of  the  people  who  may  have  cros^'vl  the  narrow  strait  be- 
tween Siberia  and  northwestern  North  America.  'Wen  the  pi-esent  north- 
western abori^nnal  is  no  way  like  him  in  look  or  lanurua^'e,  thou<j^h  in  locality 
the  natural  liidv  if  the  northwestern  immigration  theory  wei-e  ti-ne. 

".School  men  and  scientists"  says  II.  II.  Bancroft,  the  historian  of 
Native  Kaces,  '*  count  their  theories  l)y  hundreds,  each  sustaining  some 
pet  conjecture  with  a  logical  clearness  0(iual>?d  only  by  the  facility  with 
which  he  demrdishes  all  the  rest.  One  i>roves  therr  ori<rin  by  holy  writ; 
another  by  the  writings  of  ancient  })hilosophers;  ariother  by  the  sage  say- 
ings of  the  Fathers.  One  discovers  in  them  Fhenician  merchants;  another, 
the  ten  lost  tril)es  of  Israel.  They  are  tracked  with  eipial  certainty  from 
Scandinavia,  from  Ireland,  from  Iceland.  IVom  (Jreenland,  across  Hehring 
Strait,  aci-oss  the  Northern  Pacific,  the  Southern  FaciHc.  from  the  Polyne- 
sian Islands,  from  Australia,  from  Africa.  Venturesome  Carthaginians 
were  thrown  upon  the  eastern  shore;  Japanese  junks  on  the  western.  The 
breezes  that  wafted  hither  America's  primogenitors  are  still  blowing,  and 
the    tcean  currents  by  which  they  came  cease  not  yet  to  How.     The   finely 


spun  we 
amusing 
I'ender 
in  Pern, 
lat(>s  thi 
island;  nn 
the  islai 
Ksaias. 
bus  is 
America 
for  Ana 
lire  and 


excess.  t( 
to  war,  ] 
found  a 
letters 
of  Here 
the  Ath 
Americi 
that  thi 
innocen 
of  the  ] 
childr^i 
of  the 
same  aj- 


gi<:nei{AL  M'JLson  a.  milks. 


77 


spun  \vel)s  of  lo^'ic  hy  which  these  fiincif  '  are  niiiiiitaiiKMl  woiihl  pi'ove 
ciiuiisiiig.  (lid  not  the  profouiul  earnestness  of  their  respective  advocates 
r<Mider  thoni  ridiciilons.  Acosta.  who  studied  the  subject  for  nine  years 
in  I'eru.  coiKdndes  tliat  America  was  the  ()i)hir  of  Solomon.  Aristotle  re- 
lates that  the  Cartlui^nnians  in  a  voyii<,M'  wei-e  carried  to  an  nidviiown 
island;  whereupon  Florian.  (iomara,  Oviedo.  and  others,  are  satisfied  th.it 
the  island  was  Kspanola.  '  Who  are  these  that  Hy  as  a  (doud,'  excdalins 
l^saias,  'or  as  the  doves  to  their  windows?'  Scholastic  saj^es  answer.  Colum- 
bus is  the  columha  or  dove  here  prophesied,  Alexo  \'a!ie^as  shows  that 
America  w^as  peopled  hy  Carthaj^nnians;  Anahuac  bein^  but  nnother  nanu* 
for  Anak.  iiesides,  both  nations  practiced  picture-writin<^;  both  venerated 
tire  and  water,  wore  skins  of  animals,  ])ierced  the  eai's.  ate  do<;s.  draid\  to 


I'uiMiTivi;    Max. 

excess,  telegraphed  by  means  of  tires  on  hills,  wore  all  their  iinery  on  goinj* 
to  war,  poisoned  their  arrows,  beat  drums  and  shouted  in  liattle.  (iarcia 
found  a  man  in  Peru  who  had  seen  a  ro(d\  with  something  ver>'  like  (Ji-eek 
letters  engraved  upon  it  ;  six  hundred  years  after  the  apotiieosis 
of  Hercules,  Coleo  made  a  long  voyage;  Homer  knew  of  the  ocean; 
the  Athenians  waged  war  w ith  the  inhabitants  of  Atlantis  ;  hence  the 
American  Indians  were  (h'eeks.  Lord  Kingsborough  proves  conclusi\ely 
that  these  same  American  Indians  were  Jews;  because  their  "symbol  of 
innocence'  was  in  the  one  case  a  fawn  and  in  the  other  a  lamb;  because 
of  the  law  of  Moses,  "considered  in  reference  to  the  custom  of  sacrificing 
childr'^n,  which  existed  in  Mexico  and  l*eru;'  because  'the  fears  of  tumults 
of  the  people,  famine,  pestilence,  and  warlike  invasions,  were  exactly  the 
same  as  those  entertained  by  the  Jews  if  they  failed  in  the  performance  of 


I  r  i : 

:                  ■ 

^ivf- 


timuiumi^ht 


mtmimilm 


4 


"M' 


H  7'^ 


78 


I'EKSONAL   KKroi.l.Kr'noNS  OK 


iiiiy  (rf  their  i-itiial  (»l»sor\iiii<'('s;'  Ium-iiusj'  'tli(>  (><lii<'iiti(>)i  of  cliil'lrcii  ctiin- 
iii(Mi('('<l  iimon^'st  the  Mcxiciiiis.  iis  with  the  Jews.  ;il  an  rxcccdiii^'ly  early 
aj/c;'  hccaiisc  •hcafiii;^'  \\  itli  a  stirk  was  a  \('r.\  (•(tiiiiiioii  piiiiishiiKMit 
aiiKdi^fst  the  Jews."  as  well  a>  aiiMiii;^  the  Mt'xicaiis.  hccaiisc  Mic  pricslliood 
of  hot  h  nations  ■  was  hcrcdjiniy  in  a  certain  family:"  hccaiisc  hoth  were 
indiiicd  to  |»ay  i^rcat  rcsjicct  to  hicky  or  iinhick)  oiiicii;'.  siicii  as  llic 
scrccchin;^'  of  the  owl.  the  siicc/.iii;^-  of  a  pcfsdii  in  c'»iii|)iiiiy.  etc..  aial 
hccaiisc  of  a  hundred  other  cciiially  sound  and  reh-xant  arL'unieiits. 
Aiudo^'oiis  rcas(»nin;i  to  this  (»f  Lord  Kinu^hoi-oiii^di's  was  that  of  the 
.Mci'ccd  lii(hans  of  California.  Shortly  after  the  discoNci'.v  of  the  ^'oscinitc 
\alley.  tidings  rea(dicd  the  settlci>  (d"  .Mar'i|iosa  that  certain  (dii(d's  had 
united  with  intent  to  (h'op  (h)wn  from  their  mountain  stron^hohl  and 
annihilate  them.  To  ^ho'^-  ■tjic  'ndians  the  ns(dessiicss  of  warriiiL^  upon 
white  men.  these  (diieftains  were  iii\ited  to  \  isit  the  city  of  San  l''ran- 
cisco.  where,  from  the  nnmhei'  and  snperiority  of  tli(>  peo]ile  that  they 
would  tlier(^  hehold,  they  should  hccoiiie  intimidated,  and  thereafter 
maintain  peace.  I  hit.  contrary'  to  the  most  reasonalilc  expectations,  no 
sooner  had  the  dusky  (hdcf^atcs  retni-ned  to  their  home  than  a  council  was 
called,  and  the  asscmliled  wai'riors  were  informed  tliat  tln'y  need  liaxc  no 
feai' id'  these  sti'an^i'crs.  'l-'or."said  the  envoys. 'the  people  of  the  ^I'cat 
city  of  San  l*'i'ancisco  are  of  a  dinerent  t  rihe  from  these  \\hite  sett  Ici's  ot 
.Mai'iposa.  Their  manners,  t  heir  customs,  t  heir  la n^nia^'c.  t  heir  dress,  are 
all  dilTer(Mit.  Tlie\  weat-  hiack  coats  and  liiuii  hats,  and  are  not  ahle  to 
walk  aloii!.:  the  smoothest  path  without  the  aid  of  a  sti(d\.' 

"There  are  many  adxocates  for  an  Asiatic  oi'itiin.  hoth  amoii^  ancient 
and  modcfii  s|)eciilatoi-s.  I'a\(»rahle  winds  and  ciirreids.  the  shoi't 
distance  lietwcen  islands,  traditions  hoth  Chinese  and  Indian  refer  the 
peoplinu'  of  America  to  that  (piaiter.  Similarity  in  cohtr.  feutures. 
I'eliiJjion.  i'e(d\onin,<;  of  time,  ahseiice  of  a  heavy  heard,  and  inimniei'al)le 
otiiei'  comparisons,  are  drawn  )>>•  enthusiastic  adxocates.  to  siippoil  a 
Moi  u'oliiin  ori<fin.  The  same  ai'^iiments.  in  whole  oi'  in  part,  are  u^od  to 
pi'oxcthat  Americii  was  peopled  hy  l\i;\ptians.  hy  Mthio|»ians.  hy  French. 
Kniiflish.  Ti'o.jaiis.  I'risians.  Scythians:  and   also   that  dilTci'ent   parts   were 

s(dtled    l»y  diiTerent    | pies.     The  test  of  hiiii:iia<j:e  has  heen  a[>i)lied  with 

(Mpial  facility  and  <Mithiisiasm  to  M^^yptian.  .lew.  IMioenician.  Cartluiixiiiian. 
Spaniai'd.  ( 'hinese.  da]tanese.  and  in  fact  to  nearly  all  the  nations  of  tlu^ 
earth.  \  complete  re\  iew  of  theories  and  opinions  coucerniuu'  the 
ori<jrin  (d'  the  Indians.  I  pro|»ose  to  is'wc  in  another  place:  not  that  intrinsi- 
cally   they   are  of  much    value,  except  as  showinir  the   dilTei'ent    fancies 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)S72-4S03 


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CJKNKKAL  NKLSON  A.  MILES. 


81 


of  different  men  and  times.  Fancies,  I  say.  for  modern  scholars,  with 
the  aid  of  all  the  new  revelations  of  science,  do  not  appear  in  their  investi- 
gations to  arrive  one  whit  nearer  an  indubitable  conclusion. 

•'It  was  obvious  to  the  Kun>[>eans  when  they  tirst  beheld  the  natives  of 
America,  that  these  were  unlike  the  intellectual  white  skinned  race  ot 
Europe,  the  barbarous  blacks  of  Africa,  or  any  nation  of  ]>eople  which  they 
had  hitherto  en<'onntered,  yet  were  strikingly  like  each  other.  Into  what- 
soever part  of  the  newly  discovered  lands  they  penetrated,  they  found  a 
people  seemingly  (nie  in  color,  physiogmuny.  customs,  and  in  mental  and 
social  traits.  Their  vestiges  of  anticiuity  and  their  languages  lu'esented  a 
coincidence  which  was  generally  observed  by  early  travelers.  Hence 
physical  and  physiological  comparisons  are  advanced  to  prove  ethnological 
resemblances  among  all  the  peoples  of  America,  and  that  they  meanwhile 
l»ossess  common  peculiarities  totally  distinct  from  tlie  nati(uis  of  the  old 
woild.  Morton  and  his  confreres,  the  originators  of  the  American  homo- 
geneity theory,  even  go  so  far  as  to  claim  for  the  American  man  an  origin 
as  indigenous  as  that  of  the  fauna  and  Hora.  They  classify  all  the  tribes 
(►f  America,  excepting  (m\\  the  Eskimos  who  wandered  over  from  Asia,  as 
the  American  race,  and  divide  it  into  the  American  family  and  the 
Toltecan  family.  Blumenbach  classilies  the  Americans  as  a  distinct 
si)ecies.  The  American  Mcmgolidie  of  Dr.  Latham  are  divided  into 
Kskimos  and  American  Indians.  Dr.  Morton  perceives  the  same  charac- 
teristics and  llaeaments  in  the  face  of  the  Fuegian  and  the  Mexican,  and 
in  tribes  inhabiting  the  Kocky  Mountains,  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and 
Florida.  The  same  osteol(>gical  structure,  swarthy  color,  straight  hair, 
meagre  beard,  obli([uely  cornered  eyes,  prominent  cheek  bones,  and  thick 
lips  are  ccmimon  to  them  all.  Dr.  Latham  describes  his  American 
Mongolidie  as  exercising  upon  the  world  a  material  rather  than  a  moi'al 
influence:  giving  them  meanwhile  a  color,  neither  a  true  white  nor  a  jet 
black;  hair  straight  and  black,  rarely  light,  sometimes  curly;  eyes 
s(mietimes  obli(iue;  a  broad.  Hat  face  and  retreating  forehead.  Dr. 
Prichard  considers  the  American  race  psych<)logically,  as  neither  superior 
nor  inferior  to  other  primitive  races  of  the  world.  Hory  de  St.  \  incent 
classifies  Americans  into  Hve  species,  including  the  Eskimos.  The 
^lexicans  he  considers  as  cognate  with  the  Malays.  Humboldt  charac- 
terizes the  nations  of  America  as  one  race,  by  their  straight,  glossy  hair, 
thin  beard,  swarthy  complexion,  and  cranial  formation.  Schoolcraft 
makes  four  groups:  the  first  extending  across  the  northern  end  of  the 
continent:  the  second,  tribes  living  east  of  the  Mississippi;  the  third,  those 


:  I 


I ; 


ma 


NMUHHila 


ill 


i  .. 


i;.i 


82 


PERSONAL  HEUOLLECTIONS  OK 


between  the  Mississippi  and  the  Jlocky  Mountains:  and  the  fourth,  those 
west  of  the  Uocky  Mountains.  All  tliese  he  subdivides  into  thirty-seven 
fannlies;  ))ut  as  far  as  those  on  the  I'acitic  Coast  are  concerned,  he  niij^ht 
as  reasonably  have  made  of  them  twice  or  half  the  number. 

"All  writers  a^'ree  in  ^ivin^  to  tin*  nations  of  America  a  remote 
anti(iuity;  all  admit  tiiat  there  exists  a  greater  uniformity  between  them 
than  is  to  be  found  in  the  old  world;  nuiny  deny  that  ail  are  one  race. 
There  is  un(h>ubtedly  a  prevailin<jf  uniformity  in  those  piiysical  character- 
istics which  f^overn  classilication;  but  this  uniformity  ^oes  as  far  to  })rove 
one  universal  race  throuj;hout  the  world,  as  it  does  to  i)rove  a  ra<'o 
peculiar  to  America.  Traditions,  ruins,  moral  and  physical  peculiarities, 
all  denote  for  Americans  a  remote  anti<|uity.  The  action  of  a  clinuite 
peculiar  to  America,  and  of  natural  surroundings  common  to  all  tiie  peo- 
ple of  the  continent,  could  not  fail  to  produce  in  time  a  simihirity  of 
physiological  structure." 

The  subject  of  The  Historic  American  is  one  whose  adecpuite  treatment 


dd 


th 


Hll 


)li 


this,  and  1  havi 


i 


wouiu  mucn  more  tium  nil  an  entire  volume  sucn 
attempted  here  nothinjij  imn-e  than  an  outline.  So  far  as  the  ethnoloj^y  of 
the  subject  is  concerned.  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  I'rofessor  F.  W. 
I'utnam,  the  eminent  scientist  and  Curator  of  the  Peabody  Museum  of 
Archa'ol()<;y  and  i"]thnolo<j:y.  Harvard  Cniversity,  and  who  had  charge  of 
the  Department  of  Mthnolo^y  at  the  World's  Columbian  Hxposition,  for 
the  following  jj^eneral  statement  of  his  views  in  relation  to  the  early 
peoples  of  America,  and  to  the  orij;iu  of  the  Indian  tribes. 

Professor  Putnam  says  :  "From  time  to  time  evidence  has  been  brouj^ht 
forward  relating  to  the  anti(piity  of  man  in  North  America,  and  this  (pies- 
tion  has  been  earnestly  and  even  passionately  uiscussed.  I'lacin*;  personal 
prejudice  aside,  it  seems  now  unreasonable  to  doul)t  the  facts  that  have 
accumulated  in  evidence  of  the  existence  of  man  on  the  Pacific  Coast  at 
the  time  of  the  deposition  of  the  auriferous  gravels  of  California,  and  (»u 
the  Atlantic  Coast  as  early,  at  least,  as  the  time  of  the  reassortment  of  the 
earlier  glacial  gravels.  The  discovery  of  portions  of  his  skeleton  as  well  as 
specimens  of  his  handiwork,  under  ^eolo<j;ical  conditions  that  we  must 
accept,  as  surely  associates  him  with  these  early  times  as  the  tindinj;  of 
bones  of  animals  in  the  same  formations  i)roves  the  contemporaneity  of  the 
animals  with  the  same  gravel  deposits.  On  the  Atlantic  slope  the  masto- 
don was  man's  contempoi-ary  and  the  arctic  animals  roved  far  south  of 
their  present  habitat.  Struggling  for  existence  in  a  rigorous  climate,  man 
made  slow  advances  ;  and  his  development  and  culture  correspond  with  the 


'  W9 


GKXKUAL  NKLSOX  A.  MILKS. 


S3 


status  of  the  Kiver  Drift  nuiii  in  the  Okl  World  with  whom  he  may  well 
have  been  closely  allied. 

On  the  Pacihe  slope,  in  this  early  time,  man  was  livinj^  under  far  better 
climatic  conditions,  and  his  environment  was  more  conducive  to  the 
development  of  the  primitive  arts.  It  is,  therefore,  probable  that  he  there 
reached  a  neolithic  "  period  of  culture  a  long  time  before  his  less  fortunate 
contemporary  of  the  Atlantic  Coast. 

If  we  may  judge  from  the  few  human  bones  found  on  each  side  of  the 
continent,  under  these  geological  conditions,  there  was  a  marked  physical 
difference  between  the  early  man  of  the  Pacific  and  of  the  Atlantic  slopes. 
On  the  Pacific  he  was  of  average  stature  and  probably  of  a  dolichocephalic 
or  long-headed  type;  while  on  the  Atlantic  he  was  of  smaller  stature  and 
of  slight  dolichocei)halism. 

The  early  migrations  of  man  over  North  America  are  largely  conjec- 
tural; while  the  time  of  his  first  appearantre  here  is  still  more  involved  in 
doubt.  If  man  originated  at  one  spot  on  the  earth  and  migrated  thence 
to  nearly  all  portions  of  its  surface,  and  gradually  developed  into  several 
marked  varieties  differing  in  bony  structure,  proportions,  color,  hair  and 
mental  traits,  owing  to  his  environments,  and  thereafter  each  vai'iety  held 
its  own  characteristics, — the  time  necessary  for  all  this  to  take  place  seems 
to  be  so  great  as  to  throw  man's  origin  ])ack  to  a  geological  period  earlier 
than  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  beings  with  human  characteristics 
existed.  On  the  other  hand  if  an  ancestral  form  produced  man  in  one 
place,  why  should  not  the  same  result  occur  in  another  place— and  if  in 
one  why  not  in  several  instances;  then  the  distinctive  chai-acters  of  the 
species  of  man  are  established,  and  all  else  can  be  easily  accounted  for  by 
environment  and  crossing,  in  the  time  allowed  since  pliocene ^^  days. 

However  or  wherever  man  originated,  it  seems  impossible  to  believe 
that  America  could  have  been  peopled  by  only  one  race  or  variety,  if 
physical  characters  coml)ined  with  mental  traits  are  of  any  value  in 
classification.  The  earliest  man  on  the  Atlantic  differs  from  the  earliest 
man  we  know  on  the  Pacific.  These  differences  correspond  with  those 
l)etween  the  early  peoples  of  other  continents.  There  are  strong  i-easons 
for  believing  that  America  received  immigrants  from  both  B]uro])e  and 
Asia  in  early  times,  and  again  from  Asia  in  later  times;  and  probably  from 
North  Africa  by  way  of  the  Canary  Islands  at  an  early  period. 


♦The  »('i)?/7/i/r  ptTiDil  iif  I'ulturc  i?*  iiiit'  khkIi' ln-yond  {hi'  inil:fiililhi'\  hitlh  pcrtaiiiiiitj  ti>  the  stoiio  aRoof  man"s 
•Icvi'liipnit'iit.    Tilt"  (\<-  '  Is  the  roiinli-stnin'  ptTiod.  the  last  the  period  of  the  tiiiislied,  or  imlislied  stone  iiiiplemeiit. 

'^Pliorriip,  a  t'eoloHleal  iieriod  so  named  from  Its  fossils,  anionn  which  are  found  the  earliest  evidenees  of 
animal  life  on  la. id. 


^-m 

1 

ill 

i 

f 

i' 

III ' 

1    li 

I  I 


li 


t  i 


I  .  !  I . 


'  '■    :i 


84 


I'KHSONAL  HKCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


i,f, 


'HI 


Wo  must  roiiieiuluM'.  Iiowover,  that  many  anthropolojifists  re*?ard  all 
men  as  having  one  orij^in,  and  hence  believe  that  all  peoples  on  the  Amer- 
ican continent  are  of  a  single  different i- 
ated  variety  of  man.  For  a  working 
hypothesis,  the  theory  of  the  several  dis- 
tinct origins  of  man  has  many  advantages. 
All  opponents  to  successive  immigration 
must  necessarily  admit  a  very  early  paheo- 
lithic  immigration. or  else  an  autochthon- 
ous origin  for  nuin  in  America.  If  an 
early  immigration,  why  not  later  ones 
after  the  sui)iK)sed  continental  ccmnections 
had  ceased  to  exist  and  man  was  capable 
M-MvKiso  i.v  TiiK  i'Ki:-n.sTu,nr  Man.       „f  moving  from  placc  to  place  with   the 

aid  of  boats?  in  this  connection  the  recent  paper  by  Professor  Otis  T. 
Mason  is  most  suggestive. 

lict  us  ask  ourselves  the  simple  questions:  Why  it  is  that  dolichocephal- 
isnr'=  prevailed  over  northern,  eastern  and  portions  of  western  North 
America,  while  brachycephalism  ^  prevailed  over  the  southern  and  south- 
western portions?  Why  is  it  that  the  early  j)eoples  of  the  south  and  south- 
west— the  old  Mexicans,  the  old  Pueblo  peoples  and  cliff -dwellers,  and  the 
old  earth-woi-k  builders  of  the  Mississippi  and  Ohio  Valleys — are  not  only 
brachycephalic  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  but  also  differ  so  markedly  in 
their  mental  traits  from  the  dolichocephalic  peoples  of  the  north? 

These  prominent  differences  are  probably  racial,  while  environment 
has  un(|uestionably  caused  and  preserved  many  modifications.  Still  the 
long-heads  of  the  north  had  as  good  opportunities  to  advance  if  they  had 
possessed  the  primary  characteristics  for  a  corresponding  independent  de- 
velopment. When  groups  of  them  came  in  contact  with  the  tribes  farther 
advanced,  they  showed  themselves  capable  of  receiving  and  absorbing  a 
certain  amount  of  culture  wdiich  they  added  to  their  own:  but  it  was  only 
by  this  contact.  Left  to  themselves  their  development  would  naturally 
have  been  on  different  lines,  which,  in  fact,  have  in  great  part  been  lo^- 
lowed. 

In  stpdying  the  characteristics  of  cich  people,  the  archaeologist  must 
ever  be  on  the  watch  for  elements  showing  this  contact  of  people  with 
peoi)le  in  past  times.     Again^  the  special  characteristics  of  a  people  must 

*l)(>lich(ici iihdlif,    I.iiiiK  iK'tidi'd.    A  term  iiiiplicd  to  riiccs  luivin^  lu'iids  the  (Uiiiiictcr  (if  wliicli  from  side  to 
Side  IS  Riiiiill  t'otninircd  to  tlmt  from  frotit  to  tmrk. 

'iliracliiici iiliiilir.    Haviii);  liciids  more  in'iirly  round,  like  llir  (luiciisiiiri  head. 


be  dist 
associi 
their 
It, 
were  ci 
the  eai 
east, 
al)ilit3 
probal 
come 
tinenti 
in  exc( 
glacial 
since  i 
in  the 
Du 
the  pe( 
tribe  a 
on,  pec 
ditions 
Pacific 
time  w 
and  so 
food,  0 
Atlant 
man  o 
ment  t 
pushin 
peculii 
Eskim 
the  CO 
in  con 
region 
appar< 
tured 
and  n 
fertile 
acres, 
of  the 


GENKKAL  NKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


85 


be  distinguished  from  tlie  primary  rlijiracteristics,  arts  and  institutions  of 
association,  that  all  human  beings  have  common  to  their  hunumity  — 
their  generic  characteristics. 

It,  therefore,  seems  that  the  peoples  of  North  America,  known  to  history, 
were  composed  of  the  descendants  of  the  early  man  of  the  I'aciHc  slope, 
the  early  man  of  the  Atlantic  slope,  the  ancestors  of  the  C'aribs  of  the  south- 
east, the  early  brachycephalic  people  of  the  southwest,  and,  in  all  prob- 
ability, immigrants  from  Asia  at  a  later  time.  The  brachycephalic  branch 
probably  had  its  origin  in  Asia.  The  dolichocephalic  branch  may  have 
come  in  the  earliest  period  either  from  Europe  or  Asia  or  from  both  con- 
tinents. If  from  Europe,  it  must  have  crossed  the  c(>ntinent  of  America 
in  exceedingly  remote  times  with  a  return  migration  to  the  east,  after  the 
glacial  period.  There  is  evidence  of  a  western  culture  coming  to  the  east, 
since  it  was  on  the  i*acitic  side  of  the  continent  tliat  the  greatest  advance 
in  the  primitive  arts  and  culture  was  made  in  ancient  times. 

During  the  early  migrations  over  the  continent  it  seems  probable  that 
the  people  of  the  Pacific  Coast  wandered  northward  and  eastward,  forming 
tribe  after  tribe,  as  isolation  of  small  groups  took  place.  As  time  passed 
on.  peculiar  customs,  arts  and  languages  were  developed  by  the  new  con- 
ditions of  life.  Some  of  these  groups  formed  settlements  on  the  northern 
Pacific  Coast  to  which  were  prol)ably  added  immigrants  from  Asia.  As 
time  went  on.  group  after  group  became  separated  and  pushed  eastward 
and  southward  when  led  by  geographical  conditions  and  the  supply  of 
food,  or  when  forced  by  enemies.  In  course  of  time  one  group  reached  the 
Atlantic  Coast  and  probably  came  in  contact  with  the  small  pal'tcolithic 
man  of  the  east;  while  others  were  forced  to  the  north,  where  by  environ- 
ment and  isolation  the  tribes  of  eastern  Eskimo  were  formed.  A  similar 
pushing  of  groups  to  the  north  on  the  Pacific  Coast,  and  the  following  of 
peculiar  food  supplies,  may  have  resulted  in  the  formation  of  the  western 
Eskimo.  In  the  efist,  the  long-headed  peoples  stretched  southward  along 
the  coast  and  westward  into  the  interior  along  the  rivers  until  they  came 
in  contact  with  the  advancing  shori-heads  of  the  southwest.  In  the  gieat 
region  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Valleys  the  mixture  of  the  two  races  is 
apparent;  and  there  must  have  been  a  long  contest  between  the  more  cul- 
tured and  sedentary  tribes  who  built  the  old  earthworks,  and  the  savage 
and  nomadic  warriors  from  the  north  who  iv  time  took  possession  of  the 
fertile  valleys.  During  this  period  of  contact  and  crossing  of  the  two 
acres,  the  more  savage  learned  of  the  arts  and  culture  of  the  other.  Some 
of  these  arts  and  customs  have  come  down  to  the  present  time  and  have 


I  I 


4 


'  i  . 


,        1      »   .     i 


i 


•m 


ill! 


m 

i 


86 


rKIiSONAI.  UKCOLLKCTIONS  OK 


spread  from  their  soiirco  until  they  have  hecouie  the  common  inheritance 
of  now  widely  separated  tribes.  In  the  south  and  southwest,  brachy- 
ceplialism  prevailed,  while  at  the  north  and  northeast  dolichocephalism 
maintained  its  asirendency.  In  the  central  rej^ion  and  i»articularly  in  the 
Ohio  Valley  a  mixture  of  the  two  types  is  shown  by  the  mesaticephalic  or 
medium  skulls  which  prevail  in  the  burial  places  of  the  tribes  whose  de- 
scendants the  white  race  drove  from  the  region." 


i 


w 


\\\-    :.' 


fy 


;ut! 


GENEllAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


S7 


('IIA1»TK1{  VI. 
Indian   Chakacter. 

LvDiAN  Chakacter  —  Inhiax  STrniios  <>k  (iicuiuu:   I'ati.in.  1'akkman,  Sciioou'haft   and  Othkkh 

—  ThK       OhKJINM,     NoKTM     AmIOKH'AN      LnDIAN,     (ilCSTl.K,     lIoSI'I'I'AHI.K     AM)      KiMll.Y      IJ|«- 

I'osKi)    TowAHi)   tin:  Nkwcomioks  —  (!aisks    hi-   THK  CiiAN(iK    IN    Indian    (Iiiak- 

ACTKK  —    KNtil.ISH,        FKKNCir,      CtKKMAN        ANll        Si'ANIHII         (JuI.uNIZ  ATION 

StuiK.MKs  —  Indian      Wakh  —  Bion.iamin      Fkanki.in      on      tiik 
Lndian  —  Mauijikttk's  liioi-m'Tiox  Bkyond  tiik  ^Iimsim- 

SII'IM   —  HaI.LKI'K's     StANZAH     (»N      I\K1)     .lAfKKT. 

HE  oflit'ial  uoports  and  literature  re^ardiii}^  the  aborigines  of 
thi.s  country  durinj^  the  past  four  hunch'ed  years  have  been  so 
voluminous  that  the  future  historian  will  have  ample  nuiterial 
for  portraying  the  character  of  that  race  as  civilization  has 
known  it  during  the  period.  Jiut  their  true  history  cannot  be 
written  until  the  preju<lices  engendered  by  hundreds  of  years 
of  race  war  have,  to  a  great  extent,  been  obliterated.  It  is 
not  my  purpose  to  write  a  history  of  that  race,  but  only  to 
contribute  a  chapter,  in  part  my  own  observations  of  the  Indians,  and  in 
part  to  give  the  tc'timony  of  otliers  concerning  them. 

Among  the  authorities,  the  w'ritings  and  illustrations  of  George  Catlin 
are  entitled  to  a  high  rank  in  point  of  accuracy  and  attention  to  detail. 
Catlin  was  ambitious  to  be  the  historian  of  a  departed  race.  The  inspira- 
tion came  to  him  on  seeing  a  delegation  of  stalwart  Indians  on  their  visit 
to  the  national  capital.  They  made  a  marked  and  lasting  impression  upon 
his  artistic  eye,  and  in  1832  he  went  west,  ascending  the  Missouri  Kiver  U\ 
the  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone,  and  took  up  his  abode  among  the  Indians 
of  that  region.  During  the  succeeding  eight  years  he  visited  nearly  half 
a  hundred  different  tribes,  and  collected  much  information  concerning 
their  habits  and  character.  In  the  early  forties  he  returned  to  civilization 
and  gave  to  the  world  a  very  excellent  account  of  the  tribes  with  which 
he  had  come  in  contact.  I  may  also  instance  Washington  Irving's  work, 
"The  Rocky  Mountains,  or  Adventures  in  the  Far  West,"  as  presenting 
trustworthy  information ;  also  Schoolcraft,  and  numerous  other  works 
treating  of  Indian  history  and  character  in  earlier  times. 


i^ 


^  1 

1     B      '    P^l^^^^l 

I'mh 

BB! 


HS 


I'KliSONAI,  UKCOM^KC'I'IONS  OK 


I'iirkmsiii.  vv!u»  lias  iinulc  the  siilijcct  a  lif((  work,  has  }^iv(Mi  lis  many 
voliiincs  of  interest iii^r  and  valiialtic  ini'onnation  coiu'cniin^' (lie  (»ri;^'inal 
inliahitants  and  tlio  early  occiipatioii  of  tli<>  country  Ity  the  Kiin»|M>ans. 
McKinncy's  and  Mall's  works  arc  valnuldc  and  interesting'. 

'I'o  the  civili/ed  man  of  to-duy  tlie  idea  of  human  t<n*tnre  is  ahhorrent, 
whether  prompted  hy  hij^otry,  race  hatred,  or  snperstition.  and  tin^  extreme 
cruelty  sometimes  shown  hythe  Indian  has  hecm  dwelt  upon  as  a  p(MMiliarly 
inli(>rent  trait  of  his  na1iir<>'.  and  he  has  heen  cond(>mn(>d  a.s  a  malii^Miant 
liend,  in<"apahle  of  the  hetter  impulses  of  humanity  aii<l  unworthy  of 
admission  to  the  hrotherhood  of  man.  I  have;  no  sympathy  with  this 
view,  which  has  heen  crystali/ed  into  the  hriital  epi«;raiii.  falsely  at- 
tributed to  (i(Mieral  Sh(>rinan.  "The  only  ^^ood  ln<lian  is  a  dead  Indian."  I 
hope  hefore  I  am  throu^di  with  this  work.  I  shall  h(»  ahlo  to  show  that  miM'h 
that  isf^'ood  may  he  said  of  the  Indian.  I  shall  speak  of  him  as  a  diplomatist, 
a  statesman  and  a  warrior.  I  shall,  to  some  extent,  describe  his  industries, 
his  j^ames,  his  miisi<;  and  his  art,  for  there  is  much  of  art  in  the  Indian's 
decorati(ms,  his  blending;  of  colors,  his  pottery,  his  teatlier  work,  and  his 
head,  basket  and  blanket  work.  It  is  a  sinj^ular  thiii^'.  but  lonj.^  sin<*e 
noted  as  a  fact,  that  the  more  cultivated  a  people,  the  nnn'e  intrictate  is 
their  music  and  the  more  simple  their  colors.  es[)(>cially  in  dress;  or,  (Con- 
versely, the  more  primitive  and  unenlightened  tlH»y  are,  the  simpler  is 
their  music,  and  the  more  compli(%ited  or  extravagant  their  coloring. 

It  will  not  l)e  without  interest  to  note  somewhat  brietly  the  condition 
of  the  races  found  here  by  ('oliiiubus  and  the  early  explorers. 

The  first  and.  in  view  of  the  savage  character  now  generally  attributiMl 
to  him.  most  striking  fact  to  be  noted  of  the  .Vmericau  Indian  before  he 
degenerated  through  contact  with  the  white  man,  and  anterior  to  the 
nice  wai"  that  was  waged  for  centuries  before  his  final  overthrow,  was 
the  dignity.  hosi)itality  and  gentleness  of  his  demeanor  toward  strang(»rs 
and  toward  his  fellow  savages  ;  his  cordial  welcome  of  the  lunvcomers  to 
his  shores  and  home. 

What  was  it  that  changed  all  this  and  caused  that  ra<re  war,  so  relent- 
lessly prosecuted  and  so  heroically  contested  to  the  bitter  end?  Not 
entirely  treachery  on  the  ])art  of  the  Indian,  but  also  the  inexorabh^ 
needs  of  a  higher  civili/ation.  too  often  in  haughty  contempt  pushing  its 
coiKjuests  and  gratifying  its  desires  regardless  of  justii'e.  plighted  faith, 
and  the  finer  and  i)urer  instincts  and  emotions  that  actuate  and 
move  the  best  elements  of  our  nature.  All  accounts  agree  that 
the  Hrst  voyagers  and  ex])lorers  found  the  natives  ''simple,"  "hospitable," 


d 


and 
the  stra 
Knticed 
their  n: 
b(\vond 
«*arried 
be  not 
and  re<* 
I   pn 
timid, 
none  o 
lie  took 
ever.  W( 
found  o 
ilasi 
ranged 
brilliaii 
hospita 
taking 
(M'ously 
An 
along  t 
port,  a  I 
of  the 
'•  gentU 
(hdicatc 
the  nat 
lent  to 
some  p 
ing  out 
<'ast  hi 
diately 
a  tire, 
cessive 
meant 
heavei 
gently 
boat  I 
tjuital 


(JKNKK'AI,   NKI.   '  K\   A.   MILKS. 


S".> 


uikI  •■  IriciMlly."  Soon,  houcxcr.  tliry  IciiriKMl  to  IViir  iiinl  disti'iist 
tlir  sti'jiii^'crs.  who  took  «'\('iy  ii<l\iiiitii;^'('  ol  their  i^'iioniiicp  iiiid  kimhicss. 
Miiticcd  on  hojiid  their  ncsscIs  they  were  sei/cd  iind  nin-ieil  away  Ironi 
tiicir  nat  ive  hinds  to  he  pnt  on  exhihition  or  sold  into  perjietiial  shi\ery 
heyond  the  seas.  Cohiinhns  hinisell'  initiated  t  his  w  i-on^'.  Sehastian  Caliot 
carried  his  (piota  to  Kn;^ land,  and  Captain  .\nhert  his  to  France.  It  may 
he  not  nninterest  inj;  to  <'i1e  a  lew  instances  I'roin  the  I'ecords.  hotli  early 
and  recent,  to  illnstrate  more  I'nllN  this  too  ^'eiierall.N'  nnreco;^'ni/ed   fact. 

I  pon  his  lirst  arri\al  (  ohnnhns  wrote  of  the  natives:  ••  We  I'onnd  them 
timid,  and  lid!  ol"  I'eai'.  veiy  simple  and  honest,  and  exceedin<^r|y  liheral, 
none  of  them  reliisin^' anyt hiiii;  h<'  may  jiossess  when  asked  I'or  it."  Vet 
he  took  some  <il'  them  hy  I'oi'ce  and  cai'ried  them  to  Spain.  These,  how- 
CNcr.  wei"e  not  Intlians  as  we  nse  the  term,  lait  Cai'ihs.  the  milder  race 
tonnd  on  the  West  halian  Islands. 

(Jaspar  Cortereal.  a  mariner  in  the  service  of  the  kinj^'  of  l*ortii<;al, 
nin^'ed  the  coast  in  Ion]  as  far  as  th<'  lifteenth  pai-alhd.  admii'in^'  the 
hrilliaiit  verdnre  and  dense  forests  wherever  he  landed.  ||(>  repaid  the 
hospitality  with  which  he  was  everywhere*  received  hy  the  natives  hy 
taking'  with  him  on  his  i-etnrn  lifty-seven  (d'  tiiem.  whom  he  had  treach- 
cronsly  enticed  on  hoar<l  his  ship,  and  s(dlin^'  them  into  slavery. 

.\n  Italian  mariner  in  the  service  of  the  kin^  cd"  Krain-e  in  l")"J4  sailed 
alonj^'  the  coast  fi'om  ahont  the  latitude  of  Washinjiton  to  that  of  New- 
port, and  his  narrative  furnishes  the  earliest  descrii»tion  of  that  [>ortion 
of  tho  Atlantic  ('<»ast.  Me  descrihes  the  natives  as  very  "courteous"  and 
••  ^'entle."  hut  as  mild  and  fe(dde.  thouj^h  "  possess  in  <^^  prompt  wit.  with 
(hdicate  Iind)S  and  handsome  visages."  Seeinj.!:  many  lires  ashore,  and 
the  natives  frien<lly.  lu'  sent  his  hoat  to  them,  hut  the  sui'f  was  too  vio- 
lent to  i)ermit  of  landing.  One  of  the  sailors  olTered  to  swim  ashore  with 
some  presents  :  hut  when  he  came  near  his  fears  prevailed,  and,  throw- 
ing' out  his  }»resents.  he  attempted  to  return  to  the  ship,  hut  the  wav(vs 
cast  him  on  the  sand,  half  (h'ad  and  quite  sensele.ss.  The  Indians  imme- 
diately ran  to  his  assistance,  carried  him  ashore,  dried  his  (dothes  hefore 
a  fire,  and  did  everything  to  restore  him.  His  alarm,  however,  was  ex- 
cessive. When  tlu\v  |)ulled  off  his  clothes  to  dry  them,  he  thouj:fht  they 
meant  to  sacrilice  him  to  the  sun,  which  then  shone  l)ri<,'htly  in  the 
heavens.  He  trend)led  with  tear.  As  soon  as  he  was  restored  they 
gently  led  him  to  the  shore,  and  then  retired  to  a  distance  until  the  ship's 
hoat  had  been  sent  for  him.  and  they  saw  him  safely  o.i  hoard.  In  re- 
(luital  of  this  kindness,  the  visitors  rol)l)ed  a  mother  of   her  child,  and 

M— 6 


'!     ,   1 

11 
il      .1 

t 


"m 


\i 


r  1 


I  I 


i     T' 


!    I 


110 


rKl{H»NAI,  IJKCnM.KCTloNS  OK 


iiftciiiptrd  to  Kidiiiip  !i  yoimj,'  woman  "of  tall  stature  and  vory  boaiitifni." 
Ilcr  oiitciics  and  \  i«,'oroiis  rcsi.-taiM'c  saved  lirr. 

Ill  tln'  yrar  I  ">ol.  .Ia<'i|ii('s  ('artier  sailed  Iroiii  France  to  the  re;,'ioii  of 
the  St.  Law  I'enee.  and  took  |u»ssessioii  of  t he  eoiint r>  in  the  name  of  the 
Krencli  kiii^'.  The  natives  were  very  friendly  and  took  ^'reat  pains  to 
show  it  "hy  rnhhiii^'  their  hands  upon  the  arms  of  the  Kiirop<«an  visitors, 
and  lifting'  them  up  toward  tln^  heavens."  and  in  other  ways,  ('artier 
carried  olT  some  of  the  natives.  Imt  as  he  was  to  return  tiie  next  year  he 
treated  them  wcdl  and  trained  them  to  act  as  interpreters. 

In  a  se«'o!id  voya^'e.  made  t  he  following'  year,  ascending' t  he  St.  Lawrem'e, 
he  visited  the  iiali\e  \illa|^'es  of  Stadacona.  now  (^iiehec.  and  Ihx'hela^a. 
the  modern  .Montreal.  \  iewin^'  the  white  men  as  heavenly  visitors,  the 
Indians  crowded  aronial  them  to  touch  them,  [»ayin;4  them  <>very  mark  of 
reverence  and  respect.  They  hroii^dit  to  ( 'artier  their  lame,  blind,  di.seased 
and  impotent  to  he  healed  ;  and  he  j;ratilied  their  desires.  "  prayinj;  to  (Jod 
to  open  the  hearts  of  these  p«»or  people  that  they  mi<j:ht  Ik»  coiivei'ted." 
'i'he  interview  closed  with  his  i;iviii^'  them  knives,  heads  and  toys.  When 
he  was  ahoiit  to  sail,  he  enticed  the  chief,  Donnaconna.  with  nine  oth<»rs 
on  hoafd  his  ship,  seized  and  (tonlined  them,  and.  regardless  of  the  cries 
and  entreaties  of  their  people  carried  them  to  France.  Four  years  later 
all  these,  excepting'  <me  little  *f[v\.  were  dead. 

A  ty[)ical  case  is  related  hy  ('ai>taiii  dohn  Smith,  the  hero  of  colonial 
Vir^'inia. 

••  Orii  'riiomas  Hunt,  tlii>  iiiastiT  ol"  tliis  isliip.  wlit'ii  I  was  iicmi'  hi'trayi'd  tour  ami  twoiilv 
of  tlit>si'  poor  savai,n>s  aboard  liis  sliip,  and  most  dislioiit'stlv  and  iiiliiiiiiaidy,  for  tlicir  kind 
usajjff  of  nil' and  all  our  men.  (•arri«'d  tlicm  witli   liiin  to   Malaya  iind   tlicrc  for  a  littlt<  pri- 


\alt'  nraui  solil 


til 


CSC  sill\'  savaircs. 


IJut  this  vile  act  kcut   liim  ever  after  from  any  mo 


re 


ein|tloyinent  in  these  jiart^ 


Mut  what  is  to  he  cxi>ected  of  the  average  adventurer  when  the  highest 
sentiment  of  the  time  in  regard  to  the  Indian  as  expressed  hy  that  emi- 
nent divine,  liev.  Cotton  Mather,  is  foinid  to  have  heen  this:  '' We  may 
guess  that  prohahly  the  devil  (lecoy<Ml  these  miserahle  savages  hither,  in 
hopes  that  the  gosi»el  of  the  Lord  desus  Christ  would  nev^er  come  here  to 
destroy  or  disturb  his  abs(dute  empire  over  them." 

The  lir.st  attempt  to  found  an  Fnglish  colony  in  New  England  was  made 
by  Captain  Bartholomew  (josnold  in  l()02.  Me  landed  first  on  Cape  Cod, 
and  then  sailed  into  Buzzard's  iiay  and  began  a  settlement  on  the  island 
now    known    as  Cuttyhunk.     The    Indians,  who   were  frequent   visitors, 


(JKNKIJAI,  N KM, SON  A.  MII.KS. 


*M 


ho  (l('s<'rilMMl  UN  ('\(M'('(liii^'|\  coiirtrdiis.  ^'«Mitl«'  of  tlispositioii.  aii*! 
\vrll-<'(Hnlition('(l.  cxcci'tliii;^'  ail  otlicrs  in  sliii|M»  jiikI  looks.  Tlirv 
iwv  of  stiitiMT  iiiiicli  lii;;li«>r  tliiiii  \v*>.  of  roiiiplrxiou  niiicli  lik«>  a  dark 
olivp;  tln'ir  cycln-ows  and  hair  Mack,  which  they  wear  hmj^'  tied  up 
ill  knots,  wherein  they  prick  h'athers  of  fowls  in  fashion  of  a  coronet," etc. 

Another  account,  speaking'  of  the  Ahenaki  and  Micinac  t riltes  hirt her 
north  on  the  coast  of  Maine,  says,  "they  had  peniianeiit  villaj^'es  eiiclosetl 
hy  palisades.  They  were  a;.'iiciilt iirists.  ainiahht  and  social.  Itiave.  laithfiil 
to  en^apMiieiits  and  especially  stroii*;  in  their  hiniily  attachinents."  In 
May.  I(>(>">,  Captain  (ie«»r^'e  W'eyinonth  landed  on  their  coast,  seized 
some  (d' the  natives  and  carried  them  to  liii^daii<l.  There  was  ^M'eat  dilli- 
ciilty  in  ^'ett  iii}^' the  Indians  into  their  hoat.  The  statement  is  that  they 
wei'<»  stroll}^  and  naki'd  so  that  "tlieir  hest  hold  was  hy  their  h 
and  it  was  as  iiiiudi  as  live  could  do  to  take  on(>  of  them.  In  Kn^ 
were  olijects  (d' ^'leat  wonder,  and  crowds  of  people  ftdlowed  tl 
streets  as  they  had  done  a  century  hefore.  when  those  hroii;^d 
C'ahot  were  exhihited. 

When  in  \i\()\)  llenry  Hudson  sailed  in  the  "  Half  Moon"  up  the  i 
which  now  hears  his  name,  Iw  found  tlu^  natives  a, '*  verv  lovin 


i( 


They  invited  him  to  visit  them  on  shon*.  where  tliev  made  liin 
and  a  (diief  "made  an  oration  aiui  showed    him   all  the  conn 
ahont."     A  few  years  later  the  |)iit(di  laid  the  foundation  (d"  M 
now  the  ^reat  city  of  New  York,  the  traders  here  as  (dsewhei'e 
(Udrauding  tlie  Indians.     .\t  lenj^th  the    I >iit«di  governor,  Kieft, 
to  exact  trihiito  from  them  and  followed  this  up  l)y  an  atts 
Uai'itans  for  an  allej;<'d  theft  at  Staten  Island,  which  hrou^ht 
latin^  warfare  that  lasted  two  years. 

This  war  was  succeeded  hy  a  period  «d'  comparative  peace 
hetween  the  whit(\s  and  nei}^dil»orin^' Al<;oii(piin  trihes.     The  latt 
involved  in  a  war  with  the  Mohawks,  who  came  down  upon 
them  in  great  numhers  into  Manhattan  and  other  Dutch  sett  lei 
it.     7\s  tliey  w(»re  then  at  pea<re  with  the  whites,  policy  and   humanity 
alike  suggested  that  they  should  he  well  treated,     instead  of  this,  their 
defenseless  condition  only  suggested  to  Kieft  the  policy  (jf  exterminating 
them,     Acro.ss  the  river,  at  Pavonia,  a  large  numher  of  them  had  collected, 
and  here  at  midnight  the  l)ut(di  soldiers,  joined  hy  some  ])rivateersmen, 
fell  ui)on  them  while  asleep  in  their  tents  and  hutchered  nearly  one  hun- 
dred of  them,  including  women  and  children.     As  might  have  heen  ex- 
pected this  cruel  act  w^as  terrihiy  avenged.     The  Indians  everywhere  rose 


M 


l?i 


n 

i 

'1 

*     immiw 

"  1 

.'I  '  : 

j 

'  t  . 
1 

■R 


waaaeagg»aHEagai!ii!uiM!ig 


<»•> 


)-l 


PKIJSONAL  HKCOLLKCTIOXS  OF 


Upon  Hio  whites,  killiiijj;  tlic  lucn.  caitttirin;^'  the  wonit'ii  aiul  childi'cMi.  iiiid 
tlcstroyiiiji:  and  la.viii^'  waste  the  setthMuents. 

So  it  was  all  the  way  IVoin  the  St.  Law  reiiee  to  the  Antilles.  Within 
twelve  years  of  the  tliseovery  ol'  tiie  Island  of  St.  l)oniin«ijo,  its  teeming' 
l»o|»Mlation  who  hac'  received  the  st I'anj^'ers  with  the  most  }j;enei'ons  hospi- 
tality, were  tiriven  to  desperation  hy  sncdi  perlidions  hetrayal  as  no  savage 
nation  ev(n'  could  sui'pass.  and  aftei'  a  heroic  resistance*  in  which  they 
perish(>il  hy  the  thousantls,  the  niisei'alde  and  hroken-hearttnl  remnant 
were  reduced  to  ahject  slavery. 

The  frauds  and  injuries  (d'  whiidi  they  were  the  \ictiuis.  W(>re  not  for- 
jjotteu  hy  the  natives,  hut.  as  was  (|uite  natural  were  ev«'ntually  returned 
with  interest.  The  wars  were  never  discontinuiMl.  except  in  is(dated  and 
exceptional  instam-es,  until  within  our  own  tinu^  the  curtain  was  run^ 
dow'.i  on  the  tinal  eudinu',  it  is  to  he  hopeil.  cd'  th(>  drama  of  thi-  raci>  wai'. 

Now  and  then  an  eidi^htened  conciliatory  and  just  course  of  ih'al- 
iu«i  was  initiated  hy  a  l*eter  Stuyvc^sant  or  a,  Williani  I'enu.  and 
always  with  the  lia[>piest  results,  hut  in  the  main  the  policy  ahov(>  indi- 
cated was  the  on»>  pursued  from  the  discoverv  dow  ii  to  oui'own  dav.  is 
it  to  he  woiulered  at  that  just  in  proixu'tion  as  they  wer(>  brou<4;lit  into 
('(Uitact  w  ith  the  Kuropean  their  (duiracter  chan<;ed.  absorhinjj:  the  worst 
elements  of  the  stranj^vrs  without  acepurinj;  the  l)(\st? 

Catlin.  aft»M'  many  years  ^nveu  to  the  study  of  Indian  character  und(M' 
every  variety  of  cii-cumstance.  noted  the  followiufj:  results  of  contact 
with    the   white   race    upon    the    Indian,   the   eil'ect    hein^'   (dassilied    as 


m 


Oi-iili'ii'l. 

U\Ni>s<).Mi-; 
,'  lii.ii. 


M 


t>.)Ksr. 
'kkk. 


SOCIAI,. 

Ckkiui.ois. 


B 

Si 

Gk 

Oi.i.; 


oi.n. 


itAUiirr, 


AC  KIT  I. 
AMY. 


>'<  {■iiiiiliiyii. 
L'til.Y. 
ArsTKKK. 

'  )u'i'n)i;NT. 

I.IIMKINOI  S. 
!  >ISSM'ATKI) 


"jNSI.AVKli. 


<  'iMI'lM.KD. 

l>i:si;i!\  i:i». 
'rAcinitN. 
SrsiMi  IOCS 


1M1I>. 


Cii 


(n»Ki;i>. 


AKI.UvK. 


(ilJACKl.KSS, 
l''ll.lllV. 

Pkackaui.i-: 


I'ltOlD. 
Ili.NOKAN  r. 

Vain. 

I  M)i:i'i:m>i:ni'. 

H  ai'I'v. 


II 


KAI.l  II  V. 

.(>N<i-i.i  vi:i>. 


Kit. 


HiMiti.i:. 

("oNCKI  I  Kli. 

lliMiti.i:. 
Dki'kndi:.,  1. 
M 


isKitAi'.i.i-; 


>I(KI,V. 
SlIOlM'-I.IVKI). 

I'ai.k-1  A<  i:i». 
Dim  NKKN. 
I  )i:(iti:A^iNt;. 


SoiiKli. 

1  \<  KKASlNd 

Srori-IIKAIMKIt.      BlJOKKN-IIKAKTiai. 


I 


II.I.-IU.OOI). 


.i\  im; 


Ml 


in. 

ANDIKH.DKKS 


.M 
1) 


ixi;i>-iii,(>(ii«. 
\  I  N  < ; . 


(><>1! 


\\ 


IXJOAKS. 


CJKXEWAL  NKLSON   A.  MILES. 


93 


Ciitliii.  after  his  v\^^\\t  yvuvn  of  life  jinionjx  i\w  Indians.  (lelilxMatoiy 
clianu'tcrizcs  as  "an  anomaly,  a  white  man  ih'alin;^;  witii  Indians  and  met- 
ing- ont  jnstiee  to  them." 

One  t»f  Washington  Irvinuj's  nn)st  |)o[)nhii' woi'ks  was  that  I'ehit  in^- to  the 
adventures  of  Captain  Honnevilh^  in  the  fai-  W Cst.  The  captain  was  an 
entei'pi'isin}^'  army  olhcer  who  ohtaine<l  an  imh'linite  knive  of  absence  with 
the  object  of  stndyinjj;  Hie  liKhan  in  ins  nativ(>  liannts.  As  a  means  t«)  this 
end  he  a(h)|»ted  the  profession  of  a,  fnr-tra4er  and  spent  live  years  in  the 
rej^'ion  of  the  K'ocUy  Monntains  in  the  ostensible  [tursnit  of  a  foi'tnne.  lie 
"started  into  the  conntiT  with  one  hnndred  and  ten  men"  whose  very 
appearance  and  e(piipment  exhibited  a  piebald  mixt  nro  half  civili/ed  and 
half  sa\a^-e.""  They  sojoni"n(>d  anion^'  the  Ne/  Perci's.  the  Klatheads,  and 
many  othei"  ti'ibes  of  Indians  nntil  then  nncontaminated  by  ivvotic 
intlnences.  and  what  wen^  their  chai'acteristics^  "They  w(M'e  friendly 
in  their  dispositions  and  hon<^st  to  the  most  scrn|»nlons  dej^ree  in  their 
intercoMi'se  with  the  white  men."  A^ain.  "Their  hon- 
esty is  immaculate ;  and  their  purity  of  pnrji 
their  ol)sei"\ance  of  the  rit(^s  of  their  relij^ion 
are  most  uniform  and  remarkabh>.  They  ai"e 
certainlv  more  like  a  nation  of  saints  tha-ii  a 


,!l",  !, 


Horde  ol  sa\a^'es. 


And  how  was  this  "simi)le.  timid.  inolTen 
sive  race"  i"e<[uited  for  the  welcome  <;iven 
these  men.'  The  very  .same  account  ex- 
pljiins.  aiul  it  is  the  old.  sad  story  of  wriui^ 
to  the  Indian.  "One  morning'  one  of  the 
tiappers.  of  a  violent  and  savage  charact(M', 
discoverinji;  that  his  traps  had  been  carried 
off  in  tlu'  ni^ht  took  a  lioi'rid  oath  that 
he  would  kill  the  lirst  Indian  he  should 
meet,  innocent  or  ^niilty.  As  he  was  re- 
turning- with  his  comrades  to  cam)),  he 
behehl  two  unfortunate  i{oot-l'ijj:g(n'  In- 
dians seated  on  the  river  bank.  tishin<j: : 
advancin<if  u[)on  them,  ho  levelled  his  riHe.  shot  one  upon  the  spot,  and 
liun»2:  his  bhM'dinji;  body  into  the  str(Mm.'" 

It  is  ipu^stionable  whethei"  any  other  native  races  hav(^  so  much  of  that 
stately  dijj:nity  and  i)leasin^MleportnHMit.  as  had  the  North  American  Indian, 
while  yet  nncontaminated  by  foi'ei<j:n  influences.     lUshop  \Vhi])ple  wrote: 


A\  .\(ii:i)  Indian  Cmi: 


i  ; 


"i « 


94 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


\    i\ 


"  Tlio  Nortli  American  Iiuliati  is  tlio  noblest  type  of  a  hoatlion  man  on  the  earth.  He 
recofjnizes  a  Great  Spirit  ;  he  believes  in  iinmortalitv  ;  he  has  a  (piick  inteMect  ;  he  is  a 
clear  thinker;   he  is  brave  and  fearless,  and.  nntil  betrayed,  he  is  trne  to  his  T)lii;hted  faith. 


II. 


e  has  a  passioinite  love 


for  h 


MS  children,   and   connts  it  joy 


to  d 


le 


or   nis   ))eo|)le 


peo| 


O 


UP 


most  terrible  wars  have  been  with  the  noblest  types  of  the  Indians,  and  with  men  who  had 
been  the  white  man's  friend." 

Nicollet  said  the  Sioiix  were  the  finest  type  of  wild  men  he  had 
ever  aeen.  Lewis  and  Chirk,  (lovernor  Stevens,  and  C'ohniel  Steptoe  hore 
testimony  to  tlie  devoted  friendship)  of  the  Nez  Perees  for  the  white  man. 
Coh)nel  Boone,  ('oh)nel  lient,  General  Harney  and  others  speak  in  the 
hij^hest  praise  of  the  Cheyennes. 

The  Indian's  civility  to  strangers  has  been  remarked  by  all  the  early 


PnCAIIiiNTAS    BKI\(lI.\<i    C'oRN    Tn    TIIK    CoLoNISTS. 

writers,  and  countless  illustrations  given  to  show  that  they  were  w^ell 
disposed,  and  that  they  treated  newcomers  with  marked  consideration. 
It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  if  it  had  not  been  for  their  hospitality  and 
generosity  in  furnishing  supplies  of  food,  especially  Indian  corn,  the  early 
colonists  both  of  New  England  and  of  \'irginia  must  have  perished  with 
hunger. 


Dui 
and  a 
oped  ij 
apt  pill 
Slow  tj 
and  rel 
ter  on 
nized  il 
the  illil 


l\ 


h 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


t)5 


Duplicity  and  cruelty  born  of  avarice  and  bigotry  on  the  one  hand, 
and  a  sensitive  pride  and  resentful  spirit  on  tl.r»  other,  soon  devel- 
oped into  a  race  war  in  which  the  untutored  savage  showed  hiin.  .if  an 
apt  pupil  in  the  school  of  cruelty,  injustii'e  and  indiscriminate  revenge. 
Slow  to  anger,  he  has  been  terrible  in  his  wrath,  pitiless  in  his  animosity 
and  relentless  in  his  pursuit  of  revenge.  I  cannot  better  close  this  chap- 
ter on  Indian  character  than  by  a  few  (pio.'iitions  from  some  of  our  recog- 
nized authorities,  and  none  stands  higher  on  any  topic  he  deals  with  thau 
the  illustrious  Benjamin  Franklin.     He  says  : 

•' Siiviiircs  \v»'  I'iill  llii'in  bocauHt' tlit'ir  iiiiiiiiuTs  differ  from  ours,  wliicli  wo  think  tlic 
perfoctioii  of  civility.     Tlu^y  think  tho  Kiinio  of  tiicirs. 

"  Perhaps  if  we  couUl  exaniiiui  the  nmiiiiers  of  different  nations  with  impartiality, 
we  should  find  no  ])eople  so  rude  as  to  he  witliout  any  rides  of  politeness,  nor  any  so 
polite  Ji;i  not  to  have   some   remains  of  rudent'ss. 

•'  The  Indian  men,  when  youns;.  are  hunters  and  warriors  ;  when  old,  counselors ; 
for  all  their  i^overnment  is  by  counsel  of  tiie  saires.  there  is  no  force,  there  are  no  ofiicers 
to  com])el  obedience,  or  intlict  ])unishment.  Hence,  they  j^tMierally  study  oratory  ;  the 
best  s]>eaker  haviuif  the  most  influence.  The  Indian  women  till  the  jifround.  dress  the 
food,  nurse  and  briiiijf  up  tlie  children,  and  preserve  and  hand  down  to  posterity  the 
nu'morv  of  public  transactions.  The  em])loyments  of  men  and  women  are  accounted 
natural  and  honorable  ;  liavini^  few  artilicial  wants,  they  have  abundance  of  leisure  for 
imitrovenuMit  by  conversation.  Our  laborious  maimer  of  life,  comjtared  with  theirs,  they 
este'MU  slavish  and  base  ;  and  the  learninijf  on  which  we  value  ourselves  tliey  reirard  as 
frivolous  and  useless.  An  instance  of  this  oc«'urred  at  tlie  treaty  of  Lancaster,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, iiiiiio  1744,  between  the  t^overinnent  of  Virijfinia  and  tlie  Six  Nations.  After 
the  principal  business  was  settled,  the  commissionei-s  from  Virjfinia  accpiainted  the  Jndians 
by  u  speech,  that  there  was  at  Williamsl)uriif  a  coUet^e  witii  a  fund  for  educatinif  youth  ; 
and  that,  if  the  Six  Nations  would  send  lialf  a  do/en  of  their  youniif  lads  to  tiiat  colletre, 
the  ifoverinuent  would  take  care  that  they  should  be  well  provided  for,  and  instructed  in 
all  the  learniuiT  of  the  white  people.  It  is  one  of  the  Indian  rules  of  politeiU!ss  not  to 
answer  a  pvdilic  proposition  on  the  same  day  that  it  is  made  ;  they  think  it  would  be 
treatinir  it  as  a  liijht  matter,  and  that  they  show  it  respect  l)y  takiui^  time  to  consider  it 
as  i>f  a  matter  important.  They  therefore  deferred  thtMr  answer  till  the  day  followin*)*. 
when  t}i.>ir  speaker  bciran  by  expressinir  their  <l(u>p  sense  of  the  kindness  of  the  Vir^iniati 
irovernmen*:  in  makinir  them  that  offer.  •  For  wi^  know  "  says  he.  •  tiiat  you  lii<riily  esteem 
the  kind  of  l-urnini;  taui>ht  in  these  colleiijes.  and  that  the  nuiintenance  of  (mr  younjr  men 
with  you  would  be  very  expensive  to  you.  We  are  convinced,  tiierefore.  that  you  mean 
to  do  us  iifood  1)  your  proposal,  and  we  thank  you  heartily.  T3ut  \  on.  who  are  wise, 
must  know,  that  ,liff»'rent  nations  have  different  conceptions  of  thinirs.  and  you  will  there- 
fore not  take  it  i  miss  if  our  ideas  of  this  kind  of  educition  happen  not  to  be  the  same 
with  yours.  W>  have  had  some  exi)erience  of  it;  several  of  our  younir  people  were 
formerly  brouij^h  up  at  the  coUei^es  of  the  northern  ])r<.)vini'es  ;  they  were  instructed  in 
all  your  science;,  but  when  they  came  back  to  us  they  were  bad  runners,  in-uorant  of 
every  means  of   i  vinti-  in   the  woods,  unable   to  bear  either  cold  or  huntrer.  knew   neither 


!1 


li 


wmmmmmmm 


'il  \ 


UK 


(    ■  : 


;    I 


1 ,1 


i'    J?-t 

m 


m 


I' 


%  l'KI{S<)N.\l<  K'Kroi.LKrriONS  OK 

liow  lo  huild  a  ciil)!!!,  tiikc  a  iIimt.  oi'  Kill  an  cnriiiv  ;  s|i(iki'  mir  jaiii^na^^c  iin|M'rf('ctlv  : 
wt'i'f  tiicri-fnn'  iicilInT  lit  lor  limiltTs.  war'iiurs,  nr  cunMsclldi's  ;  tlii'\'  wcii-  t<>tall\-  ifood  i'or 
riulliiiii^'.  W'c  arc.  Iiowcmm'.  iiul  tin'  less  dliliircd  l)\-  xoiii'  kind  otTcr.  tlmiiyli  wi-  decline 
ac(M'|)linn-  it  ;  and  to  sliuw  onr  diatcfnl  sense  ol"  it.  il'  tlic  i^'cnllenien  ul'  N'iririnia  will  send 
IIS  a  dd/eii  of  their  s<ins.  we  will  take  ^Keat  care  ol'  their  education,  instruct  them  in  all 
We  know,  and  imihi    nun  of  llnin. 

••Ila\in<4'  rreniieni  nccasions  to  hold  |iiil)iie    connsels,  lhc\-    have   ac(|iiire(|    o-real    order 


and  decencN'  in  coiidnctini;'  them. 


d  I 


le  <)|i|   men  s 


I  ill  the  I'l 


>remost    ranks,  the  warriors    in 


the  next,  and  the  women  and  children  in  the  hindei'inost.     The  l)nsiness  of  the  women  is  to 
lake  exact  notice  of   what  passes.  im|iriiit  il  in  their  memories   (for   tlie\-  have   no   writinif). 


Inkian  (!or\('ii,. 

and  commiinicali^  il  to  tiieir  cliildren.  'l'l'«',y  !""''  <'i''  records  of  the  coiincil,  and  tlie>  pre- 
serve traditions  of  the  stipulations  in  treaties  one  hundred  Msirs  hack,  which,  \\lien  we 
compan>  them  with  our  wrilino"s,  we  always  (ind  exact.  He  tjnit  would  spea!..  rises;  the 
rest  ol)ser\(>  a  profound  silence.  When  hi' has  linished.  and  sils  down.  tlie\  leave  him  live 
or  six  minutes  lo  recollect,  so  that  if  lie  lias  omitted  aii\tlii!ii>'  he  inteii'.'led  to  say.  or  lias 
anytliiuo'  to  add.  he  may  rise  aoain  iiiid  deliver  it.  'I\>  interrupt  another  even  in  common 
conversation,  is  reckoned  liiehh'  itah-cent.  I  low  dilTerent  this  is  from  the  conduct  of  a 
politi'  British  lloiist>  of  Commons,  where  scarce  a  dav  passes  without  some  confusion  that 
makes  the  Speaker  lioarstMii  caliiiio-  to  order  !  and  how  diiTerent  from  t.ie  mode  of  con- 
versation in  the  polite  companies  of  J<]uro|te.  where,  if  \()U  do  not  deliver  your  sentence 
th  threat  ra|)idity.  you  are  cut  oil"  in  the  middle  of  il  liv  the   impatient    1  Hjuacity  of  those 


wi 


you  converse  w 


,itli.  and  never  siilTereil  to  fiiiisii  it  I 


(IKNKK'AI,   NKI.SON   A.   .MII,ES. 


it>  i»()lif(Mit'ss  ^>\  tlit'st'  saviiiii's  III  ('(iiivcrsiitioii  is.  iik 


I I. 


earned  Id  excess,  siiu 


does  not  |ieriiiil  tliem  to  coiilnidiel  ur  deny  tlie  tnitli  of  wliat  is  asserlefl  in  (lieir  |>rese 
IJv  tliis  means  tli»<v  imleed  avoid  dis|»iite  :  l)Ut  it  Ueeomes  dillieiilt  to  know  tlieir  mind 
wlial  im|iression  vou  make  ii|Min  tlieni.  Tlie  missionaries  who  have  attempted  to  eon 
them  to  Ciiristianit V  all  comiMaiii  of  this  as  one  of  the  oreatest  diHieulties  of  tlieir  iiiis^ 
The  Indians  hear  with  jiatieiiee  the  truths  of  the  (ios|ie!  explained  to  them,  and  o^ive  t 
usual  tokens  of  assent  or  a|>|>roi)alion  ;  vou  wniild  think  tliev  were  conxineed.  No  s 
matter;  it  is  mere  eivility. 

•' AVlien  any  of  them  coi'ie  into  oiir  towns,  our  |>eo|ile  are  apt  to  crowd  round  tl 
and  ineoiiiinoile  them  where  thev  tlesire  to  lie  private;  this  they  I'steeiii  ifreat  rudei 
and  the  elTect  of  want  of  instruction  in  tiie  rules  of  civility  and  ifood  manners, 
have."  sa\-  the\.  -as  much  cnriosil\  as  you.  and  when  yoii  come  into  our  towns  we  wisl 
opjxtrtunities  of  lookinn-  jit  \ou.  IJiit  for  this  purpose  we  hide  ourselves  hehiiid  l)u 
where  you  are  to  pass,  and  iie\er  intrude  ourselves  into  your  compan\'." 

"Their    manner    of    enteriiiM-    one    aimther's     vilhiij'es    has     likewise     its    rules. 


reckoned    uncivil    in   travclini;'   for  sti-anycrs   to   cute 


villaye  abruptly,   without   iriviii<r 


notice  o 


f   their  approai 


as  soon  as  they  arrive  witiiin  hearinir.  they  sl< 


halloo,  remaininir  there  until    iinited    to   enter.      Two  ol<l   men  usually   come  out  to  t 
and    lead    them    in.      There    is.    in   e\t'r\'    villaii'e.   ;'.    \acant  dwtdliiiir  called    the    stran<i" 
house.      Here  llie\'   are    placed   while   the  old    men  o-o   round    from  hut    to   hut.  ac(piaii 


the  inliahitanls  tliat  straiiLiers  are  arrived,    wlio  are  prohahly  hungry  and  wear\-.  and  t 
one    sends   them    what     the\'    can    spare    of    victuals  and    skins    to    repose    on.       W'he 


straiie'ers  are  refreshed. 


tion  henitm.  wi 


I'M 


les   aiK 


1    to) 


)acco   are    hroiio'ht  :    and    then,  not    before,  coin 


til  iiKpiiries    who  they    are,  whither  bound,  what   news,  etc.;    and    it   u.si 
•nds    with    otTcrs   of   service,  if   the   strainers  lia\-e   occasion  for  i^'iiides.  or   any  necess; 


or  coiitiiiiiiii<4'  liieir  journe\  :  and  iiothiiiL;"  is  i 


xacted  for  the  entertainment. 


•'   I  he  saints  liospitalit \.  esteemed    amoiin'   them    as  a   principal  \irlue,   is    practice! 
private  persons,  of  which  Conrad  W'eisi'r,  our  interpreter,  ifave  im^   the  following  insti 
lie  had  been  naturalized  amoiio"  the  Six    Nations,  and   spoke    well   the*   Mohawk  lany'iiaif 
In  o'oiiiy"  throiiH|i  the   Indian  countr\.  to  cari\'  a  message  from  our  iroveriior  to  theci 
at  ( )nonda<^'a.  lie  called  at  the  habitation  of  Canaste^o,  an  old  acipiaintance.  who  embi 
him.  spread  furs  for  him  to  sit  on.  placed  befiire    him   some    boiled    btNins  and  venison 
mixed  some  rum  and  water  for  his  drink.      When   he    was  well    refreshed    and    had    li 
iiipe,  Canasteot)  I)ei;'aii  to  converse  with    him:   asked  him  how  he  had  fared  the  many 
since  they  ha<l  seen  each  other,  whence  he    tiieii    came,  what    occasioneil    the  journey, 
etc.      (\)nrad  answered  all  his  (|uestioiis:    and  when  the  discourse  beu-an  to  Hair  the   li 


to  continue  it  said:  •(  onrad.  you  nave  lived  lonj^  ainoiii;'  the  wiiite  peojile.  and  know 
somethiiiii'  of  their  customs.  I  have  been  sometimes  at  .Albany,  and  have  observed  that 
once  in  s(>veii  days  they  shut  up  tlieir  shops,  and  assemble  all  in  the  i^reat  lioiist^  ;  tell  me. 
what  is  it  for  V '  'Tliex  meet  there."  sai<l  Conrad,  'to  hear  and  learn  n'ood  tliiiio;s."  •!  do 
not  doubt,"  said  the  Indian,  -that  they  tell  you  so;  they  have  told  me  the  same;  but  I 
(loid)t  tln>  truth  of  what  they  say.  I  will  t<'ll  you  my  reasons.  \  went  lately  to  Albany 
to  sell  my  skins,  and  buy  blankets,  knives,  powdtT,  nun,  etc.  Vou  know  I  used  ireueniily 
to  de.l  with  Hans  Hansen,  but  I  was  a  little  inclined  this  time  to  try  some  other  iiierchantH. 
However,  I  called  lirst  upon  Hans,  and  asked  him  what  he  would  irive  for  beaver.  He  said 
he  would  no*  yive  more  than  four  sliillino's  a  pound:  •l)iil."  said  he.  •!  cannot  talk  on  biisi- 


w » 


mm 


'^^M, 


ilH 


I'KliSONAL  KKCOM-ECTIONS  OF 


IMS.     SilK 


iit'HH  now  ;  this  is  the  dav  wlicii  we  iiicot  loifftlitT  to  Icurii  jrooU  tiiiiii^'s,  and  I  am  ^oin^  to 
the  iiH'i'tiiiif.'  So  I  tlioiiolit  to  iiivscll".  siiu'c  \vt>  caiiiiot  do  iinv  l)usiiit'ss  to-ilav.  1  may  as 
well  ifo  to  tli(«  iiii't'tiiiif  too;  and  I  went  with  him.  'riicro  stood  ii|>  a  man  in  hhick.  and 
Ix'H'aii  to  talk  to  the  |i('o|(h'  very  an,«,Tilv.  I  did  not  understand  wliat  he  said;  bnt,  pi'i- 
ci'ivinir  that  he  h)ol<i'd  niucli  at  nii-  and  llanscn.  I  imajfincd  he  was  ani,Ty  at  sct'inii^  nn' 
thtTc.  kSo  I  went  out.  sat  (h>wn  near  the  house,  struck  lire,  and  lit  my  |>i|>e.  waitini^  till 
the  meetiuif  broke  u|t.  I  thoiioht  too.  that  the  num  had  mentioned  somethiii<r  of  beaver, 
and  I  suspected  it  miolit  he  the  sid)jeet  of  their  meetiny.      So.  when   they  eanu*  out,  I  ac- 

1  1.  •]  hope  you  have  aoreed  to  oive  me  moic 
.  •!  eaiMiot  i^iye  so  much  ;  I  cannot  tjive  more 
than  three  shillino-s  and  sixpence."  I  tiien  spoke  lo  several  otherdealers.  but  they  all  suny 
the  same  soni^-  •  three  and  sixpem-e  thrt'c  and  sixpence.'  'i'his  made  it  clear  to  mo  that  my 
suspicion  was  riirht.  and  that,  whati'ver  they  pretend  of  meetiuii'  to  learn  i^ood  thinics.  the  real 
purposi' is  to  consult  how  to  cheat  Indians  in  the  price  of  i)ea\er.  ( "(insider  liut  a  little.  Con- 
rad, and  \'ou  must  he  of  mv  ojiinion.  If  they  meet  so  often  to  learn  o'ood  thinics,  they  would 
certainly  have  learnt  some  hei'ore  this  time.  i)ut  they  are  still  iifiiorant.  Vou  know  our 
practice  ;  if  a  whitt>  man  in  traveliuje"  throuoh  oui'  i-ountry,  enters  one  of  our  cal)!ns.  v.e  all 
treat  him  as  I  treat  you  ;  we  dry  him  if  he  is  wet.  we  warm  him  if  he  is  cold,  we  i^ivt*  him 
nu'at  and  drink,  that  he  nuiy  allay  his  thirst   and   hune-er.  and  sjiread  soft    furs   '^or  him  to 


costed  my  merchant  :     •  Well,  J! 

♦  Man  four  shillinos  a  |i(iund  ?'      •  No."  said 


rest  and  sleep  on. 


\V 


e  demand  notlnnif  in  return 


iJut.  if  I  no  into  a  wliite  man's  house 


at  Albany,  and  ask  for  victua's  and  drink,  they  say.  •Where  is  your  money  V"  and  if  I 
have  none,  they  say.  "Ciet  out.  you  Indian  dojn"  I  \<>u  see  they  have  not  yet  learnt  those 
little  ijood  things   that   we    need   no  meetinos  to   be    instructed    in,    because    our   mothers 


tautfht  them  to  us   when   we   were  cluldren 


and,  tlu'refore,  it  is  imi)ossible  their  meetinirs 


should  he,  as  they  say.  for  any  sui-h  purpose    or   have    any  such    eflect.      'I'hey  are   oidy  t< 
contrive  tin   r/n  utimj  iif  I ikHhiix  In   tin   y^/vVv    of  beaver." 


n 


'  r' 


Parkmaii,  tlir  historian,  states  that  -loliet  and  Marquette,  deseenclinjjf 
the  nevvly-tlisc'overed  upper  Mississippi,  and  finding  foot-prints  of  men  in 
the  mud  of  tlie  western  ])ank  and  a  well-trodden  path  that  led  to  the  ad- 
jacent prairie,  "resolved  to  follow  it,  and,  leavinjjf  the  canoes  in  charge  of 
their  men,  they  s(^t  out  on  their  hazardous  adventure.  The  day  was  fair, 
and  they  Avalked  two  leagues  in  silence,  following  the  path  through  the 
forest  and  acro.ss  the  sunny  prairie  till  they  discovered  an  Indian  village 
on  the  hanks  of  a  river,  and  two  others  on  a  hill  half  a  league  distant. 
Now  with  beating  hearts  they  invoked  the  aid  of  Heaven,  and  again  ad- 
vancing, came  so  near  without  being  seen  that  they  could  hear  the  voices 
of  the  Indians  among  the  wigwams.  Then  they  stood  forth  in  full  view, 
and  shouted  to  attract  attention.  There  was  great  commotion  in  the  vil- 
lage. The  inmates  swarmed  out  of  their  huts,  and  four  of  their  chief  men 
presently  came  toward  to  meet  the  strangers,  advancing  very  deliberately 
and  holding  up  toward  the  sun  two  calumets,  or  peace-pipes,  dc-corated 
with   feathers.     They  stopped  abruptly  l)efore  the  two  Frenchmen,  and 


i 


99 


"If 

1 

!  ;    ' 

\ 

t 

■ 

( 

t 

*  ■\^ 


I    in;:,' 


I  m 


il 


I  llniijfmiiuMJt   ilijii.iilig  I.  ii,il'ul„i, ,  .rfiltmmmllaimlm 


1(H) 


I'KIJSONAL  WKCOIJ-KITIONS  OK 


stood  {j;si/iii^'  at  tlicin  with  jittciitioii.  wiliiont  spoakin^'  a  word.  Maniucttc 
was  imudi  reliovcd  on  seeing'  that  they  wore  Froiich  rioth.  whciici^  lie  jiid^nxl 
they  must  he  Iriciids  and  allies.  Me  hrokc^  tho  silciico.  and  asked  tiuMn 
who  they  were;  wh('r<'U|ton  they  answered  that  they  were  Illinois,  and 
olTei-ed  the  pipe,  which  having'  Iteen  duly  smoked,  tliey  all  went toj,'etlier  to 
tile  village.  Mere  the  cliiel'  i(M*eived  th(>  tiiiveleis  aitei'  a  sinj^ular  fashion, 
meant  to  do  them  honor.  Il(^  sto<»d  stark  naked  at  the  door  of  a  larjjfe  wig- 
wam, holding'  np  hoth  his  hands  as  if  to  shield  his  eyes.  'Frenchmen,  liow 
hri^dit  tiici  snn  shines  wiien  yon  come  to  visit  us  !  All  our  villa^'e  awaits 
yon  :  and  yon  shall  enter  our  wi^'wams  in  peace.'  So  say  in  ^^  he  led  them 
into  his  own,  which  was  crowded  to  snfl'ocation  with  sava^^es  staring'  at 
their  ^Miests  in  silence." 

'I'he  poet  llalleck  has  ^iven  ns  a  ^ood  analysis  of  the  character  of  the 
native  Indian,  in  his  desciii)tion  of  the  noted  chief.  Ihd  .huLrt.  (To  tin* 
line  (pialities  of  this  ^n'eat  chief,  not  only  as  a  brilliant  warrior  hut  also  a?- 
a  tiery  and  im|)ressive  oratoi",  no  less  distin^niished  an  authority  than  i^a 
Fayette  has  home  emi)hatic  testimony.)     llalleck  says  : 

■•  Koi!   tlioii    wiist    iiioiiiircli   l)()rii.      'rnulitioii's    |iiii4'('H 
'I'cll    not    tlif   |iliiii(iiiy'  of   tliv   piirciit    trt'c. 
lint    tliat    tilt'   foi'cst    tril)('s   liiiNc   liciit    For  ayes 
To   tlu'f.   iiiid    to    tli\'   sii'i's.    till'   siihjt'ct    Uiit't' 

'V\\\   name    is   prim  .  Iv       it"  no   pot't's   mao-ii- 

Conld   make   i{i:i>  .lAtKKT  irracc  an    Kni^lisli   rlivnie, 

Tlionyli  Honic  one   witli   a  oviiins   for  tlic   tnioic 
llatli    intnxlnccd    it    in   a   pantominit'. 

V»'t    it    is   music   in   the   lanifiiai^t'  spoken 

(.)f  tliint'  own   land  ;   and  on   her  lu'rald   roll  ; 
As  bravely  f'ou<ilit  for,  and  as   proud  a  tolien 

As  Cd'ur  d(>   J^ions  of  a   warrior's  soul. 

Thy  tjarb      tliouifli   Austria's  bosom-star  would   friyliton 
Tliat  medal   ])ale.  as  diamonds  the  dark   mine. 

And  Cieoro-e  the   Fourth   wore,  at  his  eourt  at   IJriifhton, 
A  more   beeomin<r  eveiiiiisr  dress  than   thine  ; 

Yet  'tis  a  brave  one.  scornintf  wind  and   weather. 
And  fitted   for  thy  couch,  on   field  and   lloo'.'.-. 

As   Hob  Koy's  tartan   for  the   llii;hland  heather, 
Or  forest  green  for  Enirland's  Kobin   Hood. 


GKNKIJAL  NKI.SON   A.  MILKS. 


101 


Is  strcnytli  a   iiKiimrcli's  iiu'ril.   like  a   wliiilt'r's  V 

'I'lioii   art   as   tall,   as  sinewy,   and   as  stroiiL,'' 
As  cartli's  lirst    kiti^fs       tlic  Aryo's  J4;allaiit   sailors, 


I  Id 


Ol'S     III 


liist 


(ir\ .  and    i^ods  in  sonir. 


Is   I 


H'llUlV 


'I'liini-   lias   with   tliv   voiitli   il(>|i!irti><l 


Uiit    tlu'   lovi'-lfycinls  (if  tliy   iiianliood's   yt'ais. 
AikI  sIi(»   who   |i('iislifd.    yoiiiii;'  and    hroki'ii-licartt'd. 
Arc       hut    I    rhyiiic   i'or  smiles  and    not    for  tears. 

Is  elo(|iienee  y        Her   sjiell    is    tliif        that    reaches 

The   heart,   and    makes   the    wisest    head    its  snort  ; 
And   there's  one    rare.   straiio-e    yirtiie   in    thy   s|peei"lies, 


The   secret    of   their   mastery       they   are   short. 


Th 


le   iiionareli   mind,   the   myst(*ry  ot   eomiiiiindiMir 
The   l)irth-hoiir  i>ii't.   the   art    Na])ole( 


on. 


Of   winniiii,',   fettering',   mouldiiii^".   wieldino',   haiidiiitr 
The    hearts  of   millions   till    they   iiioye   as  one  : 

Thou   hast    it.      At   thy   biddiiii'-  men   luue    erowth'd 

The   road   to  death  as   to   a   f"stiyal  ; 
And   minstrels,  at   their  sepulehies.   luue  shrouded 

With   hanner-folds  of  j^lory   the  dark    pall. 

Who  will   belieyo  V      Not   1       for  in   deeeiyiiiif 
Lies  the  dear  eliarm  of   life's  deliijlitful  dream; 

1   cannot  spare  the  luxury  of  helieyiiiiif 

That  all   thino's  lieautiful   are  \yliat  they  seem; 

Who   will   helieye   that,   with  a  smile  whose  blessing 
Would   like  the   Patriarch's,  soothe  a  dyiuf^  hour, 

With   voice  as  low,  as  irentle.  and   caressiiii^, 
As  e'er  won   maiden's  lip  in   moonlit  bower  ; 

With   look,   like  patient  .lob's.  escliewin<r  evil  ; 

W^ith   motions   <rraceful   as  a   bird's  in  air  ; 
Thou  art,  in  sober  truth,   the   veriest  devil 

That  e'er  clenched  nno(>rs  in  a  cajitive's  hair! 

That   in  thy  breast  there  s[)rin<;s  a  poison   fountain, 
Deadlier  tlian  that  where   bathes  the   ITpas-tree  ; 

And   in  thy  wrath,  a  nursinii;'  cat-o'-mountain 

Is  calm  as  her  babe's  sleep  comi)aretl  with  thee  ! 


!  } 


if     i; 


:.  .  i 


I  ^:!ii 


!   t 


!     \A 

i 

: 

1 

' 

■    r-'i 

1    ■ 

.■ 

1 

1 0-2 


I'KliSnNAl,  KK(n|.|,K("n(»Ns  OK 


And    iiiKltTiH'iilh   tliat    fiii-t'.   liUi-  siiiiiiii*>r  ncciiiiV. 

lis  li|i  jis  iiioM-li'SM.  and    Its  tl k   ns  clear. 

Sliiinhcr    a    wliirlwind   of   tlit>   heart's   enintinn«<. 

!.<>\i'.   hatred,    pride.    lM>|(e.   sorrow        all    save    feai'. 

i,()\i'        fur    tliv    land,    as    if   she    were    tliv   <lann|iter, 
Her   |ii|ie    in    peaee.    her   Inmahawk    in    wars; 

liatreil       (if   missionaries  and   cold    water; 
I  Vide       in    thy   ritle-trophies  and   iIm    sears: 

""I"'       lliat    thy   wronos    may    i)e.    hv  tliv   (Jreat    Spirit, 
K'i'niemiiered   and    reveno-'-d    when   thou    art   yone : 

Sorrow       that   none  are   left   thee   to   inherit 

'I'hy    name,    thy    fame,   thy    passions,   and    thv    throne  I"' 


I  r 


:i.i"-  -iT^j^jiJCJ 


(JKNKKAI,   NKI,S().\   A.   MII.KS. 


h):\ 


CflAI'TER  VIT. 
Indian  li.wv.  IiKi.KiKtN  and  KLowrKNcE. 


SVMTKMS    UK     (iiivi:il\Mi:\  r  —    DdMIIM'K'     AllMUS    —   IJcl.Ki 


mi 


r>i:i.ii:is  wii   OiisKKv  \s(i:s  —  Suv 


Okkiin  M.i.v    .\i>\mis  —  Ti:ii  Msi:ii  —  Is  Cut  sen.  Wnii  (ii'sriivi,   llMiiiisoN — Thu'I-.mwku' 


ClIAUACTlOU      AM)      DllATI 


Tin:    IW.M'K    ll\\M<    \V  M!  —   Si  uuiAii 


i:it    I 'I' 


Hawk  —  His  Ki.nnii;\(i:  —  Taki:\    io  WAsiiiNiiidN — riii:si:\Ti:i> 


It!. 

riiK 


\<K 


I'|(i:siiii:ni — Tin  it  'riiunidn    lui;  Noiiiii  —  I!i:ti  ii\    in   I 


Mi;i:iiv(i     x\  iiii 


ciKl   K 


lM:\i'ii     c.i'     I'li.vc 


II 


iiW  \     \M1 
\  W  K  . 


Vciil  ;  in  other  words,  the  unwritton  law.  In  tlioir  tribal  relations  they 
seoni  to  acquiesce  in  the  oi>inion  and  jud<;nient  of  the  majority  after  the 
matters  have  been  fully  consider<'d.  thoronj^hly  discussed,  and  understood, 
and  anyone  who  acts  contrary  tosiich  conclusion  of  the  whole,  renders  him- 
self so  nni)opular  as  to  nnike  his  life  almost  a  burden  without  any  [trescribed 
punishment  bein<jf  ollicially  visited  upon  him.  Public  sentiment  seems  to 
be  so  stronjjf  that  all  alike  are  impelled  to  abide  by  the  decision. 

In  their  domestic  affairs  they  seem  quite  as  favored  as  other  people. 
IVace  and  harmony  prevail  (piite  to  tlie  same  extent  as  amoni?  the  more 
civilized  races.  The  division  of  labor  is  such  as  is  natural  amonjj^  nniny 
other  people,  it  is  considered  the  duty  of  the  nnile.  the  wariior.  to  defend  the 
camp  against  the  hereditary  enemy,  to  obtain  the  food  and  brin^  it  to  the 
lodge,  or  the  home.     This,  besfore  they  had  firearms  and  horses,  must  have 


li  »  i 


\         I 


u 


I .      I 


J(U 


I'KKSONAI,   KKldLI.KCTloNS  OK 


ii'< 


involved  ii  I  i  I'd  (front  ill  Hill  la  I  tor  anil  liar(lslii|».  a>  well  as  <lanj4:<'i'.  Witli  tlic 
siiiipli'.  niilc  inst  I'liiiH'iils  wliirli  tlirv  wen-  alilc  to  iiial\i>  tlii>\  lia<l  to  m- 
coiintcr  t  he  w  ild  Ix-asts  of  t  lie  foi('s|>.  nixl  f<»llo\\  the  \\ar\  ;^miii('  until  ii 
was  oNcrtakni.  uliicli  r<'(|iiin'(|  ;iii  riidlcss  fund  of  cinT^^y  and  an  ainonnl 
of  rlTorl  l».\  no  inraiis  lrilliii;j:.  Their  rontcst^  aj^aiiist  I  lie  white  race 
for  liiindreds  of  yeiirs  lia\e  hceii  a;i:aiiist  a  cisili/ed  power,  at  ^ireiit 
disadvantage.  dis|Mit  iiiu'  ever)  mile  of  lenil(ir>  which  has  hceii  aeqiiiicd 
from  them.  None  lait  a  l)ra\eaiid  heroic  jieople  could  contend  for  •.gene- 
ra t  ions,  as  t  lie\  lia\e  (lone,  airaiiist  all  the  know  led^^e  and  skill  and  sii|ierior 
a|i|diaiices  at  t  he  dis|>()sal  of  the  white  man.  hnriii^'  all  that  time  they 
could  not  make  a  knife,  a  rille.  or  a  roiiml  of  animnnit ion.  The  modern 
weapons  of  war  they  lia\e  hei'ii  aide  to  ohtaiii  only  in  limited  i|iiaiitities, 
and  at  the  most  exorhitant  rates,  c.\ce|tt  sindi  as  they  lia\<'  taken  from 
their  enemy  in  hat t  le. 

'I'lieir  reli^'ion  is  one  of  reverence  for  the  mysterious  (dements  «d*  natiii-e. 
To  anyt  liiii;;' t  hat  t  hey  «*aiiiiot  nnderstand.  to  whatever  they  cannot  c<»in- 
pridiend  they  ^^ive  a  spirit  and  attach  a  name.  They  worship  the  sun.  the 
source  of  li;.iht  and  life  and  motion,  as  their  father,  and  the  earth  as  their 
mot  her.  Their  sacrilices  ar(^  to  some  spirit  in  a(d\iiow  led^^cment  of  (»ldi;.'a- 
tioii  for  favors  receivcflor  heiielits  they  hope  to  I'eceivc.  For  instance, 
when  a  lifdoved  (diild  is  si(d\  unto  death  his  father  |)rays  to  the  spirit 
(d"  the  sun  to  ^dve  him  sti-eii^4h  and  life  and  health,  and  rejjfisters  a 
vow  that  lie  liims(df  will  make  the  sacrilice  of  ;^'oin,u'  throiij^di  the  sun-dance 
as  an  a(d<iiow  letjiiinent  of  hisoldi,L''at  ion.  A  yoi!n;j'  warrior  finds  iiimseif  in 
some  desperate  emer^'ency  where  ids  life  is  in  daii^n'reitlier  from  ex|»<)snre 
or  the  |»resence  (d'  the  enemy,  re^dstersa  vow  that  he  will  make  sacrilices  to 
the  sun  at  the  next  annual  least  and  festival  of  the  trihe.  Or  if  he  is  just 
stai'tin^'  upon  his  career  of  manhood,  or  entering-  the  position  of  life  wliicli 
he  expects  to  hold  as  a  w  arrioi-.  he  desires  to  show  his  c(Mira<ir(»  and  fortitude 
l>y  j^'oin^'  throii^di  the  sun-dance  and  making'  tin*  sacrilice  of  pain  and 
snITerinjj:  to  [)rov(  'o  liinis(df  and  his  ivlatives  that  li(>  is  worthy  of  tlioir 
resijcct  and  iioma^'c'.  'IMie  head  wai-rior  of  the  Ojj^alallas.  Mump,  came  to 
me  on  the  Yellowstone  to  t(dl  mo  of  the  illness  of  his  little  son.  then  hut  a 
year  old.  and  just  as  he  was  leavinif  lie  made  the  reipiest  that  if  his  (diild 
lived  in  answei'  to  his  [)rayers.  he  ini^dit  l»e  allovv(Ml  to  ^^o  throii^di  the  siin- 
dancfs  w hi(di  was  to  occur  as  they  hoped  a  few  months  later  in  the  spring'. 
'IMiey  believed  in  the  (dd  patriandial  law  of  an  "eye  for  an  eye,"  and  '"a 
tooth  for  a  tooth."  Hence  what  W(^  call  revenge  is  a  part  of  their  religion. 
If  they  or  theii-  rcdatives  sulTer  a  wrong  or  receive  an  injury,  especially  if 


V 


CiKNKltAI,  NKI>()N   A.  Mll.i^S. 


lo; 


! 


M-7 


Indian  Dani'ios    and  .Si;i.i'  Tuimhuk. 


0 


Wllili>i 


jlJlimiU.^.  a..  .   yxl..L.]LJ.i.|  iiMnii 


■^— ■WB>^nFiu»miii«-^ 


'•^-'.  JT.  ::„..:_.  xjj 


106 


rKKSOXAL  KKCOl.LKCTIONS  OF 


(■      -':'■ 


Olio  of  ^roat  sovority.  it  is  tiie  duty  of  all  the  ivhitives  to  seek  out  those 
who  have  done  tlic  injury  and  inflict  ono  of  cHiual  severity,  or  to  inflict  a 
like  injury  upon  some  inenil>er  of  flu*  tribe  or  race  of  the  aiif^nvssors. 
They  believe  that  the  si)irits  of  the  departetl  when  thus  avenjjfed.  will  be 
soothed  and  ])acilied.  They  picture  Heaven  as  the  kind  of  i)la('e  tluvt  is 
most  desirable  t<>  them,  a  ptM'fect  nature  with  abundance  of  everythinj,' 
that  they  enjoy  here,  a  blissful  existence,  a  reunicui  of  cherished  spirits. 
Their  reli^nous  beliefs  vary  with  locality,  surroundings  and  conditions, 
and  ar<>  |iiite  interesting.  We  can  only  state  in  brief  that  some  of 
them  beli(>vc  in  a  system  of  worlds.  Some  tribes  have  their  worlds 
ari'anj;ed  tojtojjfrapliically.  Amon<^'  other  tribes  the  worlds  are  arranjjjed 
architecturally  a  world  or  worlds  below  and  others  above.  The  sun 
and  moon  are  personaujes.  They  have  been  enslaved,  and  are  cf)m- 
pelled  to  travel  in  appointed  ways.  The  aurora  is  the  dancinfjj  of  ,diosts. 
'!Mie  I'ainbow  is  made  of  the  tears  of  the  eagle-god.  The  thunder  is 
tlii^  sci'eaming  of  a  great  bird.  The  lightning  is  the  arrow  of  Taowity. 
Among  the  IMu^blos  the  rain-god  dips  his  brush,  made  from  the  feath- 
ers of  the  l)irds  of  heaven,  into  the  lakes  of  the  skies,  and  sju'inkles 
the  waters  therefrom  over  the  face  of  this  world.  Hence  the  rain. 
In  winter  he  breaks  the  ice  of  the  lakes  and  scatters  ice  dust  over 
the  earth.  H(Mice  snow.  Their  gods  are  animals.  Some  of  these  animals 
are  mythical  beasts  -monsters  with  many  heads  and  many  horns.  Some 
of  them  are  luvsuling  spirits  of  i)laces.  as  the  spirit  of  a  C(M'tain  mountain, 
or  river,  or  i;  ke  Some  of  them  are  tutelar  deities.  Kvery  family,  clan 
and  tribe  has  its  tutelar  god.  Indian  theology  is  not  a  degeneracy  either 
frcmi  monotheism  or  fnmi  the  polytheism  of  classical  nations,  or  from  that 
earlier  polytheism  where  the  forces  of  nature  and  its  phenomena  were 
deified.     It  is  rather  a  development  from  fetichism. 

In  some  tribes  there  are  three  classes  of  priests.  The  first  are  prophets. 
The  next  are '■medicine  men,"  who  take  charge  of  the  religious  ceremonies, 
practice  sorcery  and  drive  out  evil  spirits.  The  third  and  lower  class  con- 
sists of  witches.  Old  women  are  oftc  ntiines  thought  to  have  been  trans- 
formed into  witches.  The  Indians  offer  sacrifices  of  parts  of  animals 
killed  in  the  chase.  They  are  slaves  to  religious  observances,  to  times 
and  methods  and  absurd  [)roliibitions.  In  every  tribe  there  is  a  great 
fund  of  story-lore,  or  tales  purporting  to  be  the  sayings  and  doings  of  the 
ancients,  whom  they  now  worship  as  deities.  Every  tribe  has  one  or 
more  persons  skilknl  in  the  relation  of  these  stories.  These  are  the 
preachers. 


ago 


i 


t  ~-- 


(iKNKliAI.  NKI-SON   A.   MII.KS. 


107 


From  all  the  iiulicatious  we  have,  the  Indians  were  not  ori<jinally  so 
nomadic  a  |)eo])le  as  they  have  been  since  tliey  obtained  liorses  from  the 
Spaniards.  It  was  much  m«»ie  dilhcult  for  them  to  move  about  from  place 
to  place  when  the  only  nutans  of  transportation  was  by  boat  and  canoe 
ah)n<j^  the  lakes  and  livers,  and  on  foot  over  thedillicult  forest  trails.  It  is 
ltrobabh>  that  some  tribes  cultivated  the  jj^ronnd  more  a  hundred  years 
ayo  than  th(\v  <lo  now.  The  cultivation  of  the  Indian  corn  was  one 
of  their  princii>al  industries,  and  in  the  early  cainpai»i;ns  a|,'ainst  them,  this 
product  was  the  object  of  destruction  aiul  devastation  by  the  whites  as  a 
means  of  reducing  them  to  poverty  and  subjection.  This  was  so  especially 
in  the  campai^Mis  a^^aiust  the  Six  Nations,  the  Miainis.  the  Cherokees,  the 
Choctaws  and  the  Chickasaws. 

Intellectually  they  have  often  disi)layed  nuirked  ability  in  their  di- 
plonuicy.  and  in  the  combinations  in  which  they  made  common  cause 
afjjaiiist  the  whites,  or  against  other  bodices  of  their  own  race.  Combinations 
ott'ensive  and  defensive  show  <i:reat  ai)titude  in  statecraft  as  well  as  in  the 
art  of  war.  The  journeys  made  by  the  Prophet  KIkswatawa.  along  the 
lakes.  lUMietrating  to  the  south  as  far  as  Alabama  and  the  Carolinas  and 
thence  noi-tli  through  what  is  now  l*(Minsylvania  and  New  York,  and  which 
resulted  in  forming  that  great  confederation  of  tribes  against  the  white 
])ioneer.  was  an  achievement  worthy  of  a  statesman  of  the  first  order,  and 
the  ability  displayed  by  his  brother  Tecumseh  marked  him  as  a  military 
genius  of  great  merit.  The  conspiracy  of  I'oiitiac  in  which  he  ])lanned  the 
attack  and  capture  of  nine  out  of  eleven  Knglish  military  ixtsts  stretch- 
ing from  Foi't  Pitt.  wher(^  now  stands  the  city  of  Pittsburg.  Pennsyl- 
vania, to  Detroit,  Michigan,  was  am  ilitary  achievement  evincing  great  ability. 
Ill ourovvn time, Sitting  Ihill.  Looking-glassand  ('hi(^f  Josei»hhave  exhibited 
similar  abilities,  while  Sjjotted  Tail.  Ued  Cloud.  Chief  floseph,  Moses,  Ouray 
and  others  have  met  in  council  many  of  the  brightest  politicians,  states- 
men, soldiers  and  lawyers  sent  out  to  represent  our  government,  and,  by 
reason,  logic,  argument  andehxiueiKte  have  proved  a  match  for  them  in  all 
but  the  force  of  numbers. 

This  uiHHiual  contest  has  been  going  v.'a  for  many  generations  between 
millions  of  whit(»  civilized  [)eo[)l(^  on  the  one  side,  and  less  than  tlii'ee 
hundred  thousand  iiativ(»s  on  tlu*  other.  Meaiitiiii(\  contemporaneous 
events  have  been  enacted  in  other  parts  of  the  world  which  make  the 
North  American  Indian  stand  forth  by  contrast  as  a  marvel  of  patriotism, 
heroism,  self-sacriticc  and  fortitude.  During  the  period  of  that  long  con- 
test the  Kiigli'^l'  b'-ive  subjugated  three  hundred  millions  of  the  natives  of 


.i'l 


i  ' 


!i: 


108 


PERSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


•Jf3' 


m 


India  and  all  the  natives  of  Australia,  have  dethroned  the  monarch  of 
Ethiopia  and  have  taken  the  Ejj^yptians  under  their  sway,  besides  the  entire 
populations  of  innumeral)le  islands  of  the  sea.  Russia  has  conquered  all 
Siberia,  with  other  peoples  agj^regating  more  than  twenty  millions  in 
population,  Si)ain  and  Portugal  l>etween  them  have  subjugated  all  the 
millions  of  natives  of  all  the  Americas  south  of  a  line  extending  in  a  gen- 
eral way  westward  from  Fernandina  to  the  Tia  J  nana  on  the  Pacific,  and 
even  some  of  the  races  living  far  north  of  that  line.  The  natives  of  the 
south  temperate  zone  far  south  of  the  eciuator  appear  to  have  been  a  war- 
like people,  similar  to  the  North  Americans  and  were  not  entirely  sul)- 
jugated  until  within  a  recent  period.  France  has  pushed  her  conquests  in 
Africa,  Madagascar,  Asia  and  Oceanica.  All  these  nations  with  one  exce})- 
tion  have  one  after  another,  or  several  at  the  same  time,  tried  the  metal  of 
the  North  American  Indian,  less  than  three  hundred  thousand  strong,  who 
finally  succumbed  to  the  overwhelming  odds  only  within  the  present  decade. 
Not  the  least  not;ible  characteristic  of  the  Indian,  wdien  we  reflect  that  he 
was  withont  a  wi'itten  language  or  alphabet,  was  the  wonderful  imagery 
with  which  he  embellishetl  his  oral  speech.  In  this  kind  of  eloquence  he  has 
been  a  motlel  for  our  own  orators,  and  has  thus  contributed  to  enrich  the 
literature  of  civilization.  The  illustrations  are  abundant  in  the  records  of 
our  dealings  with  the  Indians  during  the  past  two  centuries  and  a  half,  but 
I  will  instance  only  a  few. 

In  ISKI  Tecumseh  descended  the  Wabash,  accompanied  by  four  hun- 
dred warriors,  to  keep  an  appointment  for  a  council  with  (Jeneral  Harri- 
son, whose  headcpuirters  were  at  V'incennes.  Appreciating  the  character 
and  influence  of  his  visitor,  Harrison  arranged  to  hold  the  conference  on 
the  portico  of  his  own  house,  and  there,  attended  by  the  judges  of  the 
sui)reme  court  of  the  Territory,  several  army  oftic(>rs,  and  several  soldiers 
and  citizens,  he  awaited  the  coming  of  the  chief  and  his  delegation.  On 
the  morning  of  August  15,  at  the  hour  fixed,  Tecumseh  came  supported  by 
forty  of  his  warriors,  the  rest  being  encamped  a  short  distance  away. 
When  about  a  hundred  feet  away,  Tecumseh  stopped  and  looked  inquir- 
ingly at  the  throng  on  the  portico.  Harrison,  through  an  interpreter 
in(iuired  what  was  the  matter,  and  invited  the  chief  and  his  party  to  join 
him.  Tecumseh  replied  that  the  porch  of  a  house  was  not  a  suitalde  place 
to  hold  the  conference,  which  he  said  should  l)e  in  a  grove  of  trees,  point- 
ing at  the  same  time  to  one  near  the  house.  The  general  assented,  and 
there  the  conference  was  opened  by  Tecumseh.  who  stated  the  irritating 
question  l)etween  the  whites  and  his  race.     Keferring  to  the  treaty  made 


by  Hil 
was  d| 

assent 
the  cli 


i 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


lot) 


by  Harrison  at  Fort  Wayne  the  previous  year,  he  l)ohl]y  declared  that  he 
was  determined  to  tight  against  the  cession  of  hinds  hy  tlie  Indians  unless 
assented  to  by  all  the  tribes.  He  admitted  that  he  had  threatened  to  kill 
the  chiefs  who  signed  the  Fort  Wayne  treaty,  and  launched  out  into  an  im- 
passioned summary  of  the  wrongs  his  people  had 
suffered  from  the  close  of  the  Hevolution  to 
day,  declaring  that  the  Americans  had  driven  tl 
Indians  from  the  sea  coast  and  would  soon  dri\ 
them  into  the  lakes.  It  was  plain  that  this  appci 
''struck  tire"  in  the  hearts  of  his  own 
people,  who  would  have  followed  his 
commands  to  the  death.  Having  tin- 
ished  his  speech  and  turned  to  seat 
himself,  he  was  by  direction  of  (ieneral 
Harrison  offered  a  chair  liy  the  inter- 
preter who  said,  "  Your  father  requests 
you  to  take  a  chair." 

"My  father?"  said  Tecumseh  with 
great  dignity, ''  The  sun  is  my  father  and 
the  earth  is  my  mother,  and  1  will  rest 
on  her  bosom." 

General  Harrison's  reply  to  his  speech 
w'as  intended  to  have  a  pacific  effect, 
but  the  result  was  quite  the  reverse  of  that.  Tecumseh  in  a  towering 
passion  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  spoke  with  great  vehemence.  In  brief, 
the  whole  forty  warriors  grasped  their  tomahawks,  leaped  to  their  feet, 
and  in  a  moment  the  spectacle  was  presented  of  the  whites  and  Indians 
confronting  each  other,  arms  drawn,  and  ready  to  spring  forward  into  a 
death  grapple.  Fortunately,  forbearance  on  one  side  and  a  returning  of 
self-restraint  on  the  other,  averted  the  threatened  catastrophe  and  the 
council  broke  up  for  the  time.  The  following  morning  Tecumseh  sent  an 
apology  for  his  hasty  action. 

The  following  remarkable  coincidence  is  related  in  connection  with 
Tecumseh's  tour  among  the  tribes  prior  to  the  war  during  which  there 
seemed  no  resisting  his  persuasive  eloquence. 

At  a  Creek  town  he  called  upon  Big  Warrior,  a  famous  chief,  made  his  war 
speech,  and  presented  a  bundle  of  wampum  and  a  hatchet.  Big  Warrior  ac- 
cepted them,  but  Tecumseh  readthetimidity  of  the  chief  in  his  face  and  man- 
ner.    Fixing  his  blazing  eyes  upon  him  Tecumseh,  pointing  his  finger,  said  : 


TKCfMSKII. 


Il'll      'ill 


I.: 


I)!  !' 


i'!    HH 


i  ■  m 


I  -I 


M 


I     i 


'4 


';- 


■ 
■  1 

110  I'KKSON.M,   KK('()|,I,K('TI()NS  OK 

•■  \'(>ii-    l)l()(i(l    is    wliitc  ;    voii    liiivr  t;ikcri  my  talk,  and  I'li"  \vaiii|)iim    ami    llic    liatclict. 
l)ii(    Mill    (1(1    not    iiicaii    to  tiylit.      I  l\ii(i\v  till'  reason;    \()ii  do  not  lit'licvc  tlic  (ircat  Siiirit 


lias  sent  iiit' ;   you    sliall    know.      From  licrc  i  sliall  ipo  straight  to  l)ctroit.      Wlicn  I  arr 

II: 


i\  I' 


tlicrc  I  shall  stam|)  tin-  i,''i'oiiii(l  witli  mv  loot,  and  shake  down  ('\('"\   house  in  this  \illairi 

This  \v;is  II  wild  tlu'cat.  hut  IJi;^'  NVaiTior  and  his  [XMipIc  \v«m-(>  su|i(M'sti- 
tioiis  and  hc^aii  to  (h'cad  'rcciimsch's  ai'fi\al  at  Detroit.  Thc.N  ot'tcn  mrt. 
talked  oxci'  the  straujjje  alTaif  and  carel'idly  estimated  the  time  it  woidd 
take  'recimiseh  to  reach  the  town.  .\t  hMi;i:th  the  time  arrived,  and  suit 
enough,  thei-e  came  an  awt'id  fiimhliiio-  of  the  ^I'oinid.  the  eai'th  shook,  and 
the  IVantic  IncHans  ran  to  and  IVo,  shouting:  ■' Tec.umseh  has  or^t  to 
i)<>ti-oit."  ^IMie  threat  had  heen  I'liilined  and  the  wai'rioi's  no  h»ngei"  hesi- 
tated to  go  to  war  wit  h  the  great  leader.  .\ll  this  was  produced  by  the 
great  (>arth(inake  which  d«'stroyed  X(>w  .Madrid  on  the  Mississippi.  The 
coincideiK'e  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  occnrred  on  the  vei'v  day  that  Teciimseh 
reached  Detroit  and  in  exact  fidlillmeni  ol'  his  threat;  l»nt  j)ei'hai)s  the  story 
was  coiH'octed  just  after  the  earth((iiake.  to  meet  a  "  felt  want "' of  the 
sittiatitm. 

The  Hritish  historian.  James,  in  closing  liis  description  of  the  death  of 
this  famous  tdiief  and  the  hattle  in  which  he  lost  his  life,  observes  : 

" 'i'lius  fell  the  Indian  warrior,  'i'ecumseh.  in  the  fort y-roiirth  year  of  his  age.  lie 
was  of  the  Sliawiiee  trilie.  ii\t^  feet  ten  inches  high,  and  with  more  than  the  usual  stout- 
ness ;  possessed  of  all  the  agilit\  and  perseverance  of  tli(>  Indian  character.  His  carriai;t' 
was  dignided.  his  e\i'  jienetrating.  his  countenance,  which  cNcii  in  death  hetraxcd  the 
indications  of  a  lofl\  spirit,  rather  of  the  sterner  cast.  Had  he  not  possessed  a  certain 
austerit\'  of  manners  he  iie\('r  could  lia\-e  controlled  the  wa\  ward  passions  of  those  who 
followed  him  to  liattle.  He  was  of  a  silent  liai)it  :  hut  when  his  elo(piencc  liecaiiie 
aroused  into  action  l>\'  the  repeated  cncroacliments  of  the  .\merieans.  Iiisslroiii''  inttdlect 
could  siijiplv  him  with  a  How  of  oratory  that  enaiiled  him.  as  he  governed  in  the  Held,  so 
t(»  preside  in  the  council.  C'onsider  tliat  in  all  the  territorial  (piestions  the  ablest 
di|)|omatists  of  the  I'nited  States  are  sent  to  neo-otiate  with  the  Indians,  and  one  will 
readih  appreciate  the  loss  sustained  l>y  the  latter  in  the  death  of  'recuiiiseh.  Such  a  man 
was  this  unlettered  sava^'c.  and  such  a  man  have  the  Indians  lost   foreN'er."' 

The  Hlack  Hawk  War  is  famous  as  that  in  which  .Vhrahani  Lincoln 
won  such  military  distinction  as  has  heen  accorded  to  him  in  early  life. 
It  was  a  losing  war  to  the  Indians,  their  jtowcr  being  completely  broken 
in  the  linal  batth^  on  the  east  baid<  of  the  .Mis.sissip[)i  ubout  forty  miles 
above  the  site  of  i'rairie  du  ("hien.  lilack  Hawk  managed  to  make  his 
esca|»e.  but  a  few  days  later  voluntarily  gave  himself  up  to  the  wliites  with 
tlie  characteristic  announctMnent  that  tlie\  were  welcome  to  kill  bin)  if 
thev  chose  to  do  so.     On  the  "JTtli  of  .\iigiist.  iS:}:).  short  Iv  befor(>  noon,  he 


Nf' 


Hi'      ''I' 


f  N 


i;;  r 


, 


'.      I 


'■'112 


I,   '■ 


iiil 


! 

i 

f'i 

.1 

: 

i 

i 

1 

t ' 

!  ^li 

I 

1 

'  /' 

1  ■ ;  i 

1 

( 
I' 

and    •• 
whom 


I 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


113 


and    "  Tlie    Prophet"    wore  taken  into  the  presence  of  (ieneral   Street, 
whom  he  addressed  as  foHows : 

"  Vou  liiivc'  taki'ii  iiH'  |iriM)iit'r  wifli  all  my  warriors.  I  am  iiuu'li  yrit'Vt'd.  for  I  t>x|>eftf(l. 
if  I  did  not  defeat  you,  to  liold  out  miicli  loiiijfr  and  to  i^iM*  you  more  troiil)le  before  I 
surrendered.  1  tried  hard  to  briiii^'  \t)U  into  uinbiisli.  but  \our  last  ni.|i(>ial  understands 
Indian  ii^rlitiniif.  Tlie  lirst  one  was  not  so  wise.  When  I  saw  that  I  eould  not  beat  you 
by  liulian  fitriitini'-  I  determined  to  rush  on  you  and  (itflit  you  face  to  face.  I  fouirht 
hard;  but  your  jruns  ,yero  wA\  aimed.  The  bullets  tiew  like  birds  in  the  air.  and  whi/,/.ed 
by  our  ears  like  tlit^  wind  through  the  trees  in  winter.  My  warriors  fell  around  nu' ;  it  be- 
f^an  to  look  dismal.  J  saw  my  evil  day  at  hand.  The  sun  rose  dim  on  us  in  the  morniui; 
and  at  nijrlit  it  sunk  in  u  dark  eloud,  and  looked  like  a  ball  of  lire.  That  was  the  last 
sun  that  shone  on  Uluck  Hawk.  His  heart  is  dead,  and  no  Ioniser  beats  (juiek  in  his 
bosom.  Ho  is  now  u  prisoner  to  the  white  man  ;  they  will  do  with  him  as  they  wish.  liut 
he  can  stand  torture  and  is  not  afraid  of  death.  He  is  no  eoward.  Blaek  Hawk  is  an 
Indian. 

"He  has  done  nothinif  for  \viiich  an  Indian  oui^ht  to  be  ashamed.  He  has  fought  for 
liis  countrymen,  the  scjuaws  and  papooses,  aiiainst  white  men  who  eanu-  year  after  year  to 
cheat  him  and  take  away  their  lands.  You  know  the  cause  of  our  makini^  war.  It  is 
known  to  all  white  men.  They  ouiflit  to  be  ashamed  of  it.  The  white  men  despise  the 
Indians  and  driye  them  from  their  homes,  liut  the  Indians  are  not  deceitful.  The  white 
men  speak  bad  of  the  Indian  and  look  at  him  spitefully.  But  the  Indian  does  not  toll 
lies;  Indians  do  not  steal. 

"An  Indian  who  isas  bad  as  the  white  men  could  not  live  in  our  nation;  he  would  bo 
])ut  to  death  and  eaten  by  the  wolves.  The  white  men  are  bad  schoolmasters;  they  carry 
false  looks  and  deal  in  false  actions;  they  smile  in  the  face  of  the  poor  Indian  to  cheat 
him;  they  shake  them  by  the  hand  to  tjain  their  eonlidence.  to  make  them  drunk,  to  deceive 
them,  and  ruin  our  \vives.  We  told  them  to  let  us  alone  and  keep  away  from  us ;  but 
they  followed  on,  and  beset  our  path  as  they  coiled  themselves  amonif  us  like  a  snake. 
They  ])oisoned  us  by  their  touch.  We  were  not  safe.  We  lived  in  dani^er.  We  were 
beconiin<^  like  them,  hypocrites  and  liars,  adulterers,  lazy  drones,  all  talkers  and  no 
workers. 

"Wo  looked  up  to  the  Great  Spirit.  Wo  went  to  our  ijfreat  father.  We  were  encour- 
a<red.  His  n^reat  council  ij^ave  us  fair  words  and  bi<f  promises  ;  but  wo  f^ot  no  satisfaction. 
Things  ^ve^o  fji'rowintr  worse.  "^Phere  were  no  deer  in  the  forest.  The  opossum  and  beaver 
were  fled ;  the  springs  woro  dryiniif  up.  and  our  stpiaws  and  papooses  were  without  vict- 
uals to  keep  them  from  starviui;'.  We  called  a  ii^reat  council  and  built  a  laroe  tire.  The 
spirit  of  our  fathers  arose  and  spoke  to  us  to  aventj^e  our  wrouiifs  or  die.  We  all  spoke  be- 
fore the  council  fire.  It  was  warm  and  pleasant.  We  set  up  the  war-whooj).  and  duif  up 
the  tomahawk.  Our  knives  were  ready,  and  the  heart  of  Black  Hawk  swelled  hi<j^h  in  his 
bosom  when  he  led  his  warriors  to  battle.  Ho  is  satisfied.  He  will  oo  to  the  world  of 
s])irits  contented.  He  has  done  his  duty.  His  father  will  meet  him  there  and  commend 
him. 

"  Black  Hawk  is  a  true  Indian  and  disdains  to  cry  like  a  woman.  He  feels  for  his  wife, 
his  children,  and  friends.  But  he  does  not  care  for  himself.  He  cares  for  his  nation  and 
the  Indians.     They  will  suffer.      He  laments  their  fate.     The   white  men  do  not  scalp  the 


i..H 


I 


m 


!  I 


I     i         !> 


I 


i 

)    ; 

i 
1 

:  J  ;l 

'I 


i:ii  ^ 


k 

1 

;.  Mi 

iMl?l 

i' 

; 

i|' 

j,  ' 
il 

1! 

114 


I'EliSONAl.  IJKCOM. ACTIONS  OF 


lit'iul ;  l)iil  tlit'V  (111  worsi"  llicv  |Miis()n  tin-  liciirt.  It  is  not  juirc  with  tlit'iii.  Ills  coiiiitry- 
iiifii  will  not  !)('  M'iil|MMl.  Iiiit  lli('\  will,  ill  il  ffw  vi'urs.  licconir  like  llic  white  men,  so  that 
yuii  c'iiii't  trust  tliciii.  iiiiil  there  iiiiist  lie,  lis  in  the  white  settlements,  nearly  uh  many  otli- 
ftTH  as  men.  tn  take  care  uF  them  ami  keep  them  in  nnler. 

''Farewell,  iiiv  nation  I  IMaek  Hawk  trie. I  to  >a\e  yon  and  avenije  your  wrongs.  Ho 
drank  tht*  Mood  of  some  of  the  whites.  ili-  has  hecn  taken  prisoner  and  his  plans  are 
stoiiped.  I  le  can  do  no  more,  I  le  is  ni'ar  his  end.  His  sun  is  settinj^  and  he  will  rise  no 
more.      i''arewell  to  Black  lla\^k.'" 

niiick  Ihiwk  at  tliis  tiiiM>  was  about  lit'ty  ycai's  of  a,<,'(».  six  \'o.ot  in  lioi^'lit 
and  liiicly  l'oiiiie«l.  lie,  tla^  rroi»la't  iNao|)o|»(\  and  livo  otluM' distin<^nished 
cliiel's  anion^'  tho  in'isoncrs  were  sent  to  \Vashiii^4on  tliti  I'ollovving  year. 
On  tho  day  alter  tinMr  arrival.  April  li-l,  lilack  Hawk  iiad  a  lon^  in- 
terview witii  President  Jackson,  during'  wliieli  lie  ^ave  his  version  of  the 
canse  of  the  war  in  wliieli  (x-eiirs  tlu*  followiii}^': 

"We  did  not  expect  to  eoiKpier  the  whites:  no.  'I'liev  had  too  many  houses,  too  many 
men.  I  took  up  the  hati-het.  for  my  part,  to  revenot>  injuries  which  my  people  could  no 
Ioniser  endure.  Had  I  home  them  Ioniser  without  strikiiii,'.  my  people  would  Imvo  said. 
Black  Hawk  is  a  woman  ;  he  is  too  old  to  he  a  chief;  he  is  no  Sac'  'i'liese  rellections 
caused  me  to  raise  the  war-whoop.  1  say  no  more  of  it  :  it  is  known  to  you.  Keokuk 
once  was  he:  i' ;  voii  took  him  l)\'  the  han<l.  and  when  he  wisiied  to  return  to  his  homo  you 
were  williiiir.  Black  Hawk  expects  that,  like  Keokuk,  we  shall  be  [)erniitted  to  return 
too.'" 

The  President  assured  him  that  he  was  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  of 
the  war.  and  that  the  ciiief  need  feel  no  uneasiness  about  the  women  and 
children  wdiom  they  had  left  at  home.  A  few  days  later  they  were  sent 
to  Fortress  Monroe,  where  he  and  his  companions  were  treated  with  great 
kindness  and  gentle  consideration.  But  no  matter  how  well  treated,  the 
Indians  i)ined  for  the  free  air  of  their  forests,  for  their  rude  wigwams,  and 
their  families.  Fortunately  an  ortler  was  received  on  the  4th  of  June  for 
their  return  to  their  homes  and  their  release,  They  were  taken  back  by 
way  of  the  larger  cities,  and  their  progress  was  attended  with  much 
excitement  on  the  part  of  the  citizens.  They  were  lionized,  taken  to  the 
theatres,  dined  and  wined,  and  probably  would  have  been  killed  with  kind- 
ness had  the  thing  been  allowed  to  continue  long.  In  reply  to  an  address 
to  the  Indians  at  the  Exchange  Hotel,  in  Broad  Street.  New  York  City,  Black 
Hawk,  who  w^as  much  pleased  with  it  and  the  handsome  present  accom- 
panying it.  made  answer : 

•' BkothkI!  :  We  like  your  talk.  We  will  be  friends.  Wo  like  the  white  peoj)le  ; 
they  are  very  kind  to  us.  We  shall  not  forget  it.  Vour  counsel  is  good  ;  we  shall  at- 
tend to  it.  Vour  valuable  present  shall  go  to  my  s(juaw  ;  it  pleases  nie  very  much.  We 
shall  always  be  friends." 


:iil 


m 


(JKNKKAL   NKI^SON   A.   MILKS. 


110 


No  hotter  opportunity  could  ho  pi*(»s('nto(l  toi*  cxliihitinj^  tlio  various 
pliiisos  of  iiidiiiu  ('i(Mpiou('(\  tiiiiii  is  found  in  iiccoiuiKmyini,^  hlack  lliiwk 
and  his  companions  to  tho  West,  and  ins  moot in^^  and  reconciliation  with 
Keokuk.  One  of  ti»e  most  interesting'  incidents  of  what  may  lie  properly 
termed  tiieii' ti'iumphai  tour  was  their  call  upon  the  Seneca  Indians,  at 
the  council  house,  on  their  reservation  in  \ew  Votk.  The  Seneca  (diief- 
tain,  I'aittain  I'oliard  (Kailundawanal.  an  old  and  respected  man.  expressiul 
his  pleasure  at  nuM'tinj^^  them,  ur^dn^'  them  to  ^'o  to  theii"  homes  in  a  peace- 
ahle  frame  of  mind,  to  cultivate  the  eaitli.  and  nevermore  to  lii^ht  aj^jainst 
the  .•■)ute  men. 

lihu  k  llawk  said,  in  rejtly  : 

"Our  a^fd  brother  <if  tlic  SiMit'cas,  who  has  spoken  to  us.  lias  s|M)kt>n  the  words  of  a 
|(roo(l  and  wist>  man.  We  are  strauifers  to  eaeh  other,  thoui^h  we  liave  tlie  same  eolor.  and 
the  same  CJreat  Spirit  mach'  us  all.  and  nave  us  this  eountrv  toifether.  lirothers.  we  havo 
seen  how  ^reat  a  people  the  whites  are.  They  are  very  rich  and  very  strontf.  It  is  folly 
for  us  to  hifht  with  them.  We  shall  go  home  with  mueh  knowledire.  For  myself.  I  shall 
advise  my  pi'oplt>  to  be  (piiet.  and  live  like  i;i)o(l  men.  The  adviee  which  you  i^ave  us, 
brother,  is  very  <rood.  and  we  tell  vou  now  w/  mean  to  walk  the  straight  path  in  future, 
and  to  content  ourselves  with  what  we  have,  and  with  i-ultivatiiiif  our  hinds." 

From  IJuflalo  the  Indians  were  c(»nveyed  hy  water  to  Detroit.  Thoy 
were  now  ai)[)r()achinfj:  the  section  w  liicli  had  lat(dy  sutTered  at  the  hands 
of  their  people,  and  the  citizens  showed  a  less  friendly  s[)irit  toward  them. 
They  looked  at  the  dusky  visitors  askance,  and,  it  is  said,  they  were  hurned 
in  etligy.     No  violence,  however,  took  ]>lace. 

From  (ireen  Hay  they  had  to  pass  through  the  country  of  the  Menom- 
onees  and  VVinnehagos,  who  were  their  l)ittei'  enemies.  To  jjjuard 
a«?ainst  molestation,  a  detachment  of  troops  accompanied  them  to  Chicago. 
I'assing  up  Fox  Kiver  and  down  the  Ouisconsin.  lilack  Hawk,  with  much 
de[)ression  of  spirits,  pointed  out  the  favt)rite  spots  where  once  stood  the 
tlourishing  villages  of  his  people. 

The  captives  arrived  at  Fort  Armstrong,  on  the  upper  Mississippi, 
ahout  the  first  of  August.  They  were  gloomy  and  taciturn  on  entering 
th'^ir  own  forests,  the  reminder  of  so  many  sad  occurrences  to  them,  hut 
soon  rallied,  and  showed  considerahle  vivacity  in  recalling  some  of  their 
amusing  experiences  among  the  whites. 

Fort  Armstrong.  Hock  Island,  had  heen  selected  as  the  most  approprijite 
place  for  the  dismissal  of  the  Indians.  The  latter  were  disapi)ointed  at  not 
meeting  friends  to  tell  them  of  their  families.  While  waiting  for  some  of 
them  to  come  in,  they  undid  their  hundles  and  examined  their  presents. 


!i' 


llC) 


PKKSONAL  KKCOM.KCTIONS  OK 


:.i   i 


Hawk  retuniecl  the  pressure.  Then  Keokuk  saluted  the  rest  of  the  party 
and  sat  down.  His  eompanions  did  the  same  and  all  remained  silent, 
waiting  for  the  fallen  chieftain  to  si)eak. 

Fifteen  minutes  of  ojjpressive  silence  followed.  durin<^  which  strange 
emotions  must  have  stirred  the  breasts  of  the  red  men. 

Seeing  that  lilack  Hawk  was  waiting  to  he  addressed.  Keokuk  turned 
to  him  and  inciuired  how  long  he  had  been  on  the  road,  lie  answered, 
and  then  i)i[)es  w<M-e  brought  out  and  lighted,  all  snu)king  and  talking 
freely  for  an  hour.  Then  Keokuk  arose,  shook  hands  all  around,  and  de- 
parted with  the  promise  to  return  on  the  morrow,  when  the  grand  council 
was  to  be  held. 

A  large  room  in  the  gai-rison  was  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  two 
parties.     About  ten  o'clock  Keokuk  appeared  tit  the  head  of  a  hundred 


(iKNKI{.\l-  NKI.SON   A.  Mll.fclS. 


117 


warriors,  an<l  s<»ato(l  liims(>lt'  amon^'  s«>v(M'al  of  his  cliicl's.  dirootiu;^'  \\\o  rest 
to  place  tlu'inschcs  licliiiid  iiiiii.     This  was  done,  and   |»i'oroim«l    sti 
pi'evaiied  until  thearri\al  of  Ithiek  Hawk  and  his  ronipanions. 
came  in.  Keoknk  and  his  hi'othei-  chiel's  ai'ose  and  shook  hands  witi 
and  his  companions.     They  nio\ed  aronnd  and  seated  theniseUcs  op 
Keoknk.     Illack    llauk  and  his  son  showed  in  their   lo(d\s  their  dej 
and  humiliation,  for  they  felt  that  aftei- years  of  rivalry  between  hi 
the  yonn^'er  chief,  the  houi'  of  triumph  for  the  latter  had  conu'. 

Major  (iarland  was  the  lirst  to  l)n»ak  the  silence.     Me  said  that  lu 
jjlad  to  tind  so  miK'h  ^ood   feeling'  in  the  tribe  toward  hlaidv  Hawk  a 
paj'ty.     He   was  cojilident   from  what  he  had  seen  and    leai'ued  tha 


would  have  no  more  troubl(«  anion;;  themselve 


II 


e  had  but   little  t 


as  the   President's  sikmm'Ii  to  HIack  Hawk  said  all,  and  it  would  be  ri 
them.     This  spe(M'h  was  int(>rprete(l  to  the  Indians,  who  responded 
end  of  each  sentence. 

Ke(dvuk  then  said  impressiv(dy: 

"  I  liavf  lisli'iH'd  to  llic  tiilU  of  our  ^rrcat  fatliiT.    It  is  tnic;  we  iilt'dytMl  our  luiii 
those  of  our  yoiiiio-   l)ravcs.    for  tlicir   lilxTatioii.      We    tliouylit    uiucli  of   it;  our  c 
wtTc  loiiir;  tlu'ii'  wivt's  and  cliildnMi  witc  in  our  tliouylits.      Wln'ii  we  talked  of  tli 


lu'arts  were  full.      'Plicir  wives  and   eliildren  eaiue  to  us.  wliieli  mad 


e  us 


feel 


IlKe 


bnt  we  were  men.  'I'lie  words  wliicli  we  sent  to  our  ^^reat  fatiier  was  one  word,  tl 
of  all.  The  heart  of  our  ijreHt  father  wasjjfood;  he  spoke  like  the  father  of  children 
Great  Spirit  mad"  his  heart  hi;;  in  eouneil.  We  receive  our  l)rothers  in  frieiidsl 
hearts  are  ;;ood  toward  them.  They  once  listened  to  bad  counsel;  now  their  ears  art 
1  ;;ive  my  hand  to  them;  when  they  shake  it.  they  shako  the  hands  of  all.  J  wil 
hands  with  them,  and  then  1  am  (hMU'."' 

Major  (jurhind  tlien  delivered  the  most  humiliating;  insult  that  had  ever 
been  i)ut  ui)oii  IJlack  Hawk.  He  said  he  wished  all  present  clearly  to 
understand  that  the  I'resident  considenMJ  Keokidc  the  principal  chief  of  the 
nation,  and  that  in  the  future  he  shoidd  be  acknowled<;ed  as  the  only  one 
entitled  to  that  distinction.  He  wished  lilack  Hawk  to  listen,  and  conform 
to  these  counsels.  The  two  bands  that  had  heretofore  existed  in  tlu 
must  be  broken  up. 

This  cuttin<;  s})ee(di.  when  translated  to  Hlack  Hawk,  was  made 
throu<;h  the  mistake  of  the  interi)reter.  who  represented  Major  (Jarh 
declaring  that  lihudv  Hawk  must  nuifoyni  to  the  counsels  of  Keokuk 
chief  was  infuriated,  and,  rising  to  his  feet  in  a  towering  rage,  replied 

"1  am  an  old   man;   1  will  not  conform  to  the  counsel  of  anyone:    I  will  act  for 
no  one  shall  govern  me.      1  am  old;  my  hair  is  gray.      1  oiu-e  ^•ave  counsels  to  my 


ill 

-Jt 


^1  ■. 

\  ■ 

'i 

lis 


rKI{S()NAL  ItKCOLLKCTlONS  OK 


iiifii:  am  I  to  ('(iiifurm  to  ollicixy  I  >*\\i\\\  snoii  j,f<(  to  ilii>  (irciit  Spirit.  wIuti-  I  ^litill  rcsi. 
What  1  said  to  «nir  i^'rcat  lalliiT  in  \Vasliiiij;ton.  I  sayiitfaiii:  1  will  al\vav>*  lislrMi  to  liim. 
I  airi  doiii'." 

It  was  flu*  lust  fiicktM'ol'  {.jn'iitm'ss.  Ilis  cxciffMiuMit  ciiiistMl  u  stiramon;; 
tlio  listtMicrs.  Tlic  iiihTpn'tcr  (\\|)liiiii('«l  tliiit  ho  was  only  nM|iu\st(>(l  to 
//.s/f// to  t  he  coimscls  «»l'  Keokuk.  Mlack  Hawk  made  no  reply.  I»ut  sat  al»- 
surbed  in  his  own  gloomy  tlioii<j:lits.     K(>okiik  said  in  an  iindeitone  to  him: 

"  \VI;v  do  vou  speak  thus  Ix'forc  thi>  whiti'  iin'ii?  I  will  sjieak  for  voii;  you  trcinljh'd 
and  did  not  mean  what  you  said," 

niaek  Hawk  nodtied  assent  and  Keoknk  said: 

••(  )ui'  l)rothiT  who  has  atfiiin  coiiic  anionic  us.  has  spoUcii.  !)ut  he  spoko  in  wratli; 
his  touifui'  was  forkt'(l;  lie  spoki>  not  like  a  rnan.  a  Sae.  lie  knew  his  words  were  bed;  he 
treinMed  like  the  ouk  whose  roots  liavt<  l)een  washed  i)y  many  rains,  lie  is  old;  wh:il  he 
said  let  us  forijet.  lie  says  he  did  not  mean  it;  he  wislies  it  were  forgotten,  !  hue 
spoken  for  him.  What  I  lia\e  said  is  his  own  words,  not  mine.  Let  us  say  he  spoke  in 
council  to-ilay;  that  his  words  were  y'ood.      I  liaye  spoken."' 

Tliat  evenin<^.  .Major  (iarland  invited  the  i)rincii)al  eiiiefs.  inclndin^' 
niack  Hawk,  to  meet  him  at  his  (jnarters.  .Mter  a  niimher  of  six'eclwvs 
had  been  made  by  the  ehieis,  HIack  Hawk  said  in  a  calm,  but  depre.ssed, 
manner: 

"  1  feel  that  I  am  an  oM  man.  Once  I  eoidd  speak,  hut  now  I  have  little  to  say.  To- 
day we  nu'et  many  of  our  brothers.  We  are  i,dad  to  see  them.  1  have  listencl  to  what 
mv  hrothers  said;  their  hearts  are  i^ood;  they  have  i)een  like  Sacs  since  1  left  them;  they 
have  taken  care  of  mv  wife  and  t-hildren,  who  had  no  wiii'wum.  1  thank  them  for  it;  the 
(Jreat  S|)irit  knows  I  thank  them.  1  want  to  see  them.  When  1  left  them  1  e.\j)Octed  to 
return.  I  told  our  ifreat  father  when  in  Washini^'ton.  I  would  listen  to  his  counsels.  1  .say 
so  to  you.  I  will  listen  to  the  counsel  of  Keokuk.  1  shall  soon  be  far  away.  I  shall  have 
no  vilhiije,  n«)  band;  I  shall  live  alone.  W^hat  I  said  in  eouncil  to-day,  I  wish  forgotten. 
If  it  has  been  jiut  upon  paper  1  wish  a  mark  to  be  drawn  over  it.  I  did  not  mean  it.  Now 
we  are  alone;  let  us  say  we  will  forirt't  it.  Say  to  ouroreat  father  and  Ciovernor  Cass  that 
I  will  listen  to  them.  Many  years  ai^o,  I  met  Ciovernor  Cass  in  council,  far  across  the 
prairies  to  the  risiuic  sun.  J  lis  counsels  were  jjfood.  My  ears  were  closed.  I  listened  to 
the  ifreat  father  across  tht^  waters.  My  father  listent'd  to  him  whose  band  was  lariro.  My 
banil  was  once  lari^e,  but  now  1  have  no  banil.  I  and  my  son  and  all  our  party  thank  our 
^reat  father  for  what  he  has  done,  lie  is  old;  J  am  old;  we  shall  soon  i^o  to  the  Great 
Spirit,  \vhero  we  shall  rest,  lie  sent  us  throuifh  his  j^reat  villa<res.  We  saw  many  white 
men,  who  treated  us  with  kindness.  We  thank  them.  We  thank  you  and  Mr.  Spra^ue 
for  comiii<^  with  us.  Vour  road  was  loni^  and  crooked.  We  never  saw  so  many  white 
men  before.  When  you  were  with  us  we  felt  as  thouirli  we  had  some  friends  amon<^ 
them.  We  felt  safe.  You  knew  them  all.  When  you  i-ome  upon  the  Mississippi 
a^ain,  you  shall  conu>  to  my  wi^^wam.  I  have  none  now.  Onyourroail  home,  you  pass 
where  my  village  once  was.     No  one  lives  there  now;  all  are  gone.     I  give  you  my  hand; 


we  ma\| 


4 


(;kni;i!AI,  nki.son  a.  milks. 


liu 


we  iiinv  rii'MT  iiicct  an'aiii.  I  >liiill  loiii,'  ifiiifiiiltcr  \(>ii.  Tlic  (ir»'tit  Spirit  will  lie  \sltli  xoii 
and  your  \\iv»'saii»l  i-liildrt'ii.  Ili'i'irf  tlicMiii  riwcM  I  >liiill  i^o  tn  iiiv  fniiiilv.  Mv  m>ii  will 
Im'  here  to  si-i-  von  Ix-fdiv-  \o\\  un.  I  will  sluikc  liaiKh  willi  mv  iimtliriN  imw.  iiiid  llii'ri 
I   ant  d>in<'." 


doscribe  their  torn-.  s(»  similar  in  niaiiy  respects  to  tin*  former  one.  and 
wliicii  was  without  speeial  inciih'iit.  No  (h»iiht  the  <hde;jatioii  was  suitahly 
impressed,  as  have  ItcMi  the  iiiuuer«nis  ones  that  have  foUowed  in  tlieir 
footsteps. 

HhicU  Hawk,  his  son  Xashenlviik,  and  liis  handsome  wife,  attetided  a 
hall  hy  invitation  at  Fort  Madison.  Wisconsin,  in  honor  of  \Vashin;.don*s 
Hirtiiday.  F(d)rnary  '2'2,  ISJJS.  Hlack  Hawk  was  present  at  tlie  same  place 
dnrinjj;  the  ceU'hration  on  the  F(nirth  of -lidy  followinj^.  At  the  tahle  he 
received  the  lionor  of  the  following'  stMitiment  : 

"Our  illustrious  lifucst.  Mav  liis  dcciiMino' years  he  as  calm  as  iiis  |irt'\ious  life  'las 
hi'tMi  hoistcnius  from  warlike  events.  His  |iresent  rriendsliip  with  tlie  whites  fully  entitles 
liini  to  a  seat  at  our  hoard.  " 

IJlack  Hawk  resijonded  witii  the  followinof  sonsilde  words  : 

*•  It  has  pleased  the  (ireat  Spirit  that  I  am  here  to-day.  The  earth  is  our  nu)tlier  and 
we  art'  now  pei-mitted  to  look  upon  it.  A  few  snows  ao-o  I  was  Ijuhtino-  an:unst  the  white 
people  ;  in'rliaps  I  was  wronn'  :  let  it  i)e  I'oro'otten.  I  loved  niy  towns  and  I'orri  lields  on 
the  Hock  liiver;  it  was  a  beautiful  t-ountry.      J  fouii'lit   for  it.  but   now  it   is  yours.      Keep 


i 


!  I 


i  I 


ij iLEl'l' iiji 


120 


TKIfSONAI,  1{K(^()I,IJ<:(^TI()NS  OK 


it  as  tlu>  Sacs  did.       I 


.,,   ' 


was  oiici'  a  warrior 


l)iit  now  I  am  |i(uir,     Ki'ukwk  lias  l)i»tMi  tlio  causo 
of  wliat   I  am.  l>iil   I  <lo  iio(  liatc  liiiii.      I   love  to  look  ii|>oii  llu'  Mississipiii.      I   have  looked 


upon  it  froiii  a  child.      I   lo\c   that    iicaiitil'iil    river. 


M' 


l>aiik 


I  thank  von  for-  \ 


V    Home    lias   always    hccii    upon    its 


olll 


f 


riciK 


Ish 


will  sa\'  no  more 


m.s. 


Ill 


IC 


lilacU  Hawk  died  Octolicr  'A.  |S;IS.  Many  whites  as  well  as  Iiidii 
as,s(Mnhl(Ml  at  liis  lo(|o;('  to  |iay  tlitMf  last  respects  to  the  (h'parted  chiefta 
aiul  warrior,  lie  had  retiiiested  that  he  iiii^^dit  ho  buried  as  were  the*  Si 
chieitaiiis  in  the  oldtMi  tiiiies.  His  wishes  were  followed.  Instead  of  iiiak- 
iiijj;  a  ^rave,  his  hody  was  placed  upon  the  ^n-oiiiid  in  a  sittinjj;  postnre,  with 
his  cane  between  his  knees  and  ^nasped  in  his  hands.  Slabs  and  rails  were 
then  piled  about  him.     Such  was  the  end  and  biii-ial  of  Mlack  Hawk, 

The  following'  winter  his  bones  \\i\v  stoltMi.  and  a  year  later  were 
lonnd  in  the  possession  of  a  siii-o;eoii  at  (,)iiincy.  Illinois,  (lovenior  Lucas,  of 
Iowa,  li(>arin^'  of  tli(»  outrage,  coni|  elled  tluMii  to  be  restored  to  his  fri<Mids. 

It  may  have  been  on  the  vtuy  spot  where  Mlack  Hawk  was  laid  to  rest 
that  Joliet  an-'  ^iilr(pletle  had  their  lirst  me(»tiii<;  with  the  natives  after 
tluMr  discovery  el'  the  northern  \H.ssissippi.  just  one  hundred  and  sixty-live 
years  before  an  ju'connt  of  w  hicli  wo  have  already  j^nven. 

Probably  the  most  remarkable  Indian  now  in  the  Sac  and  Fox  ti'ibe 
is  Moses  Keokidv.  a  full-blood  Sac.  and  for  many  years  princii)al  chief  of 
the  trib(\  He  is  a  tiiin  believcn'  in  the  Christian  reliiifion  as  ta,u<i:ht  by  the 
whites,  and  a  wealthy,  npri<;ht  citi/en.  wieldin*^- a  jiower  for  j^ood  aiiion^' 
his  people.  .Moses  Keokuk  (the  word  Keokuk  meaning' '■  walkin^Mox"  in 
the  S;!c  Iaii<;ua<ie)  is  a  son  of  the  chief  Keokuk,  in  whose  honor  the  city  of 
Keokuk.  Iowa,  is  named. 

In  tills  connect i(m  we  ini«.,dit  appropriately  treat  of  the  tpiestion  of 
Indian  education  and  enlijj:liteninent  iiiidei'  modern  methods,  but  for  a 
special  reason  which  will  appear  in  dii(>  course,  this  is  deferred  to  a  fiitiin^ 
chai)ter. 


iif 


(JKNKKAI,   NKI.SON    A.   MILKS. 


I'Jl 


('ii\i»'ri":i»*  viii. 

Gamk  in  TiiK  (Ikkat  W'kst. 


'I'liK   W'n.K    lli'Ksi: — .Mi:i'iioi>s    uk   TxKiMi     i'iik    W'ii.m   IIokm: —  I'm;    I'l  ii' m.h  — 'rm:  CiiAsic  — 

Cai'I'vin  Um.kwin's  Akvknim  iii:s  —  'riii:  Siuukim) —  Tim:  An  ri:i.cin:  —   Tin:  W'oi.i' 

—  Smm.i.    (lAMi'; —  Hiii'M.i)    I5ii.i, —  |)i:i;i{ —  lUc    llnuN — \\ni.|.' 

lllNi'iNd  IN  I'm:  l\i>i  \\  'riiKiii  muv  —  l?i:  mi  1 1  i  n  r- 

iN(i  —  (Jami-:  ()|.'   i'iiI':  Noirniw  i:si'. 

01\  ceiitiirios  Imliaii  tribes  wow  (•«»iitiiiii!ill>  jit  war  with  eacli 
otIuM'  bd'oiv  the  while  man  caiiie  to  AiiieiMca.  Al'tei'  tliat  event 
tiieir  territory  beeaine  more  limited,  and  the  ('(MKlilioiis  uikUm- 
winch  we  lind  them  in  imKh'rii  times  was  forced  upon  them. 
They  ^naxhially  came  under  the  direction  and  control  of  the 
white  race.  Thon^di  the  fends  between  the  tribes  did  not  en- 
--:  .-  tir(dy   cease   they    ^rew   less   freipuMit,   because    attiMition   was 

called  in  another  direction  ;  to  continual  encroachments  by  the 
common  enemy  of  all.  When  the  tribes  liviu}^-  east  of  the  Mississippi 
wer(^  driven  out.  upon  the  plains  counti-y  they  gradually  obtaiiuMJ 
horses  and  adopted  a  pm-ely  nonuulic  life.  It  istru<'that  in  some  instan- 
ces they  had  utilized  do^j^s  for  transportation  |>urposes.  especially  in  the 
noi'th.  but  only  to  a.  limited  extiMit.  Tntil  they  obtained  hoi'ses,  tiio 
canoe  was  theii"  nuiin  dependence  foi'  artilicial  iranspoi'tat  ion.  This  of 
coui'se  coulined  them  to  the  lakes  and  water  courses.  II  was  when  they 
accjuired  horses  from  the  Mexicans  that  they  became  a  roving,  oi'  nomadic, 
people.  The  hors(»  ena.bh>(l  them  to  ^o  on  extensive  expedit  ions  and  ac- 
»piire  a  knowledj^c  of  the  country  and  skill  as  landsmen.  Theii'  exp(>rtness 
linally  canu'  to  be  mo.st  extraordinary.  They  could  travel  hundreds,  even 
thousands  of  miles  with  ^^reat  I'apidity.  sonu'times  bein,n-  ^one  for  six 
months  or  a  yeaf.  and  returning'  to  their  own  district  of  toun(r\  lini  their 
»)wn  ti'ibe,  thou^^h  it  nuiy  have  been  moving-  from  place  to  place  dni-in^'  the 
«Mitire  timecd'  tluMr abs(>nce.  There  ai'e  nuiny  Indians  now  living-  wlu>  have 
lieen  on  excursions  co\(M'in^  teiritory  a  hnndriMl  miles  north  of  the  liritish- 
.\m(M'icaii  bonndai'y.  and  thi'e(>  hundicd  miles  south  of  the  Mexican  bordei*. 
The  horse  also  facilitated  t  heir  chase  and  taking'  of  j.'anK'  for  food.  The 
wild  horse,  which   descench'd  from    those  imported  by  Corte/  and   others, 


^riilii 


f     !    fii 


'¥iii 


'I 


;•  ( 


1  ^aJ 


PEKSOXAI.  UEC{H.LE("ri()NS  OF 


was  fomifl  in  considoml)le  iinni))ers  in  noi-tluMii  Mf^xij'o  juulTexas.  bnt  the 
dillicjilty  of  taking  them  was  very  great.  There  was  no  other  animal  on  the 
plains  so  wild  and  sagacions.  So  adi'oit  were  they  that  they  would 
always  run  on  sight  of  man,  and  once  in  motion  would  rarely  stop  until 
they  had  placed  a  long  and  safe  interval  between  themselves  and  their 
pursuers. 

In  a  band  of  wild  horse;^  may  be  seen  all  colors:  nearly  milk-white,  jet- 
black,  cream  color,  iron-gray,  pinto,  sorrel,  bay.  etc.  Their  manes  were 
profuse,  hanging  in  wild  profusion  t)ver  their  necks  and  faces,  and  theii 
long  tails  swept  the  ground.  It  was  rare  that  a  hunum  ))eing  could  by 
stealth  approach,  or  by  patient  waiting  find  himself  near  a  band  of  horses 
at  their  ease ;  but  when  he  did  he  witnessed  an  ideal  scene  of  freedom  and 
beauty  in  the  graceful  gambols  of  the  proud  and  playful  descendants  of  the 
faithful  slaves  of  Cortes  and  Alvarado.  an  aninuii  new  to  America,  but 
thriving  here  even  better  than  at  home. 

There  were  various  methods  of  taking  the  wild  horse.  One  was  for  the 
rifleman  to  steal  u[)  under  the  cover  of  some  rock  or  Inish  or  deep  ravine, 
or  lie  in  wait  concealed  near  some  i)lace  where  they  were  accustomed  to 
go  for  water,  and  watch  his  opportunity  to  "crease"  them.  This  is  dt)ne 
by  tiring  a  bullet  through  the  upper  part  of  the  neck,  striking  a  certain 
nerve  or  cord  in  such  a  way  as  to  temporarily  pai-alyze  the  animal,  lie- 
fore  his  recovery  the  hunter  would  run  up  andconline  him  with  stout  cords 
or  lariats.  It  was  a,  ditlicult  perforuumce,  and  very  rarely  successful,  A 
surer  way  to  take  him  was  for  the  huntsmen  to  separate  into  bands  in  the 
time  of  the  full  moon,  and  take  stations  (m  the  plains  at  points  where  the 
band  of  wild  horses  was  accustomed  to  roam.  Then  one  or  two  nuui  would 
pursue  the  band,  the  pursuit  to  be  taken  up  by  their  i)rearranged  relays  as 
the  circumstances  would  enable  them  to  come  in  with  their  fresh  horses; 
until  in  the  course  of  time  the  pursued  animals  became  exhausted.  Jiut  it 
was  easier  for  the  Indians  to  steal  the  domesticated  horse  from  his  ownei, 
(U*  raise  the  animals  in  their  safe  camps,  huudi-eds  of  miles  away  from  any 
settlemerit. 

With  the  horse  they  could  easily  take  the  bison,  connnonly  called  buf- 
falo, which  had  always  been  the  plains  Indian's  main  stay  and  support. 
It  furnished  him  with  splendid  robes  to  i)rote('t  him  from  the  cold  of  win- 
ter. Its  hide,  with  that  of  the  elk,  furnished  him  wari.i  shelter  and  cloth- 
ing, while  the  venison  and  bulTalo  meat  supplied  him  with  an  abundance 
of  wholesome  and  toothsome  food.  The  vast  region  exteiuling  from  the 
Kio  (irande  through  Texas,   eastern  Nmv  Mexico  and  ("oloi'ado.  the  Indian 


Territ 
plains| 
think 
have  tl 
or  tifti 


m 


^ 


4  ih 


GENKRAI,  NKLSON  A.   MILES. 


123 


f 

"  N  o  M  a  1) '  s 
Lund."  Jn  the 
Southwest  they 
were  pnu'tieally 
exteriiiiiKiteti 
between  the 
years  1S72  and 
1S77,  while  the 
same  occurred  in 
the  Northwest 
h  e  t  w  e  e  n  the 
years  1S78  ai:d 
1SS5. 

It  may  not  })e 
nninterestmg  to 

\ii\e  somewhat  in  detail  the  Indian's  mode  of  hunting  the  buffalo  before 
the  Avhite  man  came  and  destroyed  the  game.  The  chase  of  the  buffalo 
was  the  Indian's  chief  amusement  as  well  as  his  chief  means  of  live- 
lihood, and  after  his  acciuisition  of  the  horse,  was  done  ahnost  invariably  on 
horseback  ;  formerly  with  bow  and  lance,  latterly  with  ritle  also.  In  this 
exercise  he  became  wonderfully  expert,  and  was  able  to  kill  these  huge 
beasts  with  great  ease.     Mounted  on  his  .strong,  fleet  "  Indian  pony."  well 

trained  for  the  chase,  he  dashed  off  at  full    speed  amongst  the   herd  and 
M— 8 


.Illllllllililll' 

ChKASINO    TIIK    Wli.I)    IIoKSi:. 


.,>    I 


', 


m 


)»- 


■'■inl-fLi.  jV.r* 


ij 


124 


rKKSONAl,  KEC'OJ.LECTIONS  OF 


discliarged  his  deadly  arrow  to  tlioir  hearts  from  liis  horse's  liack.  This 
horse  was  the  Heetest  animal  of  the  prairie,  and  easily  bnmght  his 
rider  alongside  of  his  «j:ame.  Hoth  the  liorse  and  his  rider  had  been 
stripped  l)eforehand  of  sliield.  dress  and  sa(hlle.  everythinjjr  whieli  might  in 
the  least  eni-nmher  ov  ha!i(Mcap  the  horse  for  speed,  the  Indian  carrying 
(Uily  bow  an(i  ([ui\ er  with  half  a  dozen  arrows  drawn  from  it  and  held 
lightly  and  loosely  in  his  left  hand  ready  for  instant  nse.  With  a  trained 
horse  the  Indian  rider  had  little  nse  for  the  line  which  was  fastened  with 
a  noose  aronnd  the  under  jaw,  passing  loosely  over  the  horse's  neck  and 
trailing  behind,  passing  to  the  left  side  of  the  rider.  The  word  lariat  is 
from  the  Spanish,  lariata.  The  following  derivation,  probably  fanciful, 
is  also  given.     The  early  French  traders  in  the  country  named  the  line  or 


i'l 


Indians  Killing  Bii-K.\ini;s  in  Simmkk. 


haltei-  "Tarret"  or  stop;  it  being  as  they  seem  to  have  thought,  used  to  stop 
rather  than  guide  the  horse.  The  Englishmen  coming  subsequently  upon 
the  scene  accepted  the  name  with  anglicized  spelling,  "lariat."  Further 
south,  toward  the  Rio  (Jrande.  the  Spaniards  gave  it  the  name  of  '"lazo" 
meaning  a  net.  or  entanglement,  which  was  afterw  ards  anglicized  to  lasso, 
and  this  name  as  well  as  lariat  is  now  in  common  use.  It  is  used  for  a  "reat 
variety  of  purposes ;  to  stop,  to  guide,  to  secure  the  aninuil.  to  throw  him  and 
to  Innd  him  when  down.  All  this  the  Indians  do  with  great  skill.  I  have  seen 
Rary's  method  of  sn1)jugating  vicious  horses  excelled  by  the  skill  of  the  In- 
dian in  the  use  of  the  lariat  as  he  tangles  the  horse,  throw^s  and  confines  him, 
and  finally  does  whatever  he  likes  with  him  without  seriously  injuring  him. 


Il 

the 
the 
-to 
suchl 
M 
until 
throl 
twee 
tod( 

n 

its  ri 
In  tl 
bow 
oppo 
huge 
est 
the 
the  i 
the  r 
ally 
cauti 
T 


sas. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


125 


Returninjjj  to  the  chase,  the  approsich  was  made  upon  the  riyht  side  of 
the  game,  the  arrow  being  thrown  to  the  left  at  the  instant  the  horse  passed 
the  animal's  heart,  or  some  vital  organ,  which  received  the  deadly  weapon 
"to  the  feather."  In  fact.  Indians  have  been  known  to  send  them  with 
such  force  as  to  drive  them  completely  through  the  buffalo. 

When  pursuing  a  large  herd  the  Indian  generally  rode  close  in  the  rear 
until  he  had  selected  the  animal  he  wished  to  kill.  He  separjited  it  from  the 
throng  by  watching  for  a  favorable  opportunity  and  dashing  his  horse  be- 
tween, forcing  it  off  by  itself  and  killing  it  without  being  himself  trampled 
to  death,  as  he  was  liable  to  be  by  operating  too  far  within  the  massed  herd. 

The  training  of  the  horse  was  such  that  it  quickly  knew  the  object  of 
its  rider's  selection,  and  exerted  every  energy  to  come  to  close  quarters. 
In  the  chase  the  rider  leaned  well  forward  and  off  from  its  side,  with  his 
bow  tirmly  drawn  ready  for  the  shot  which  was  given  the  instant  he  was 
opposite  the  animal's  body.  The  horse  being  instinctively  afraid  of  the 
huge  animal,  kept  his  eye  upon  him,  and  the  moment  he  reached  the  near- 
est proximity  required,  and  heard  the  twang  of  the  l)ow  or  the  crack  of 
the  rifle,  sheered  instantly  though  gradually  off,  to  escape  the  horns  of 
tlie  infuriated  beast,  which  were  often  instantly  turned  and  presented  for 
the  reception  of  the  pursuer.  These  frightful  collisions  would  occasion- 
ally occur,  notwithstanding  the  wonderful  sagacity  of  the  horse  and  the 
caution  of  the  rider. 

The  buffalo  on  ])eing  pursued  will  sometimes  turn  very  quickly  at  his  pur- 
suer with  savage  ferocity,  and  numy  an  Indian  as  well  as  an  occasional  white 
man  has  been  thrown  high  in  the  air  over  the  back  of  the  butt'alo,  or  gored 
to  death.  Occasionally  the  animal  will  turn  l)efore  being  wounded.  This 
has  occurred  in  my  own  expeiience  in  a  hot  chase  upon  the  Kansas  plains. 
Sometimes  also  the  cow  will  turn  in  defense  of  her  young.  Captain  Frank 
D.  Baldwin  of  the  Fifth  Infantry  once  had  a  powerful  bull  turn  upon  him 
quickly,  catching  his  horse  fairly,  and  throwing  both  horse  and  rider  over 
his  back.  In  fact  this  otiicer  had  a  numl)er  of  most  remarkal)le  escapes 
both  from  butt'aloes  and  from  wolves  within  my  knowledge,  and  as  illustrat- 
ing the  characteristics  of  both  these  species  of  large  game.  I  nuiy  instance 
in  some  detail  two  or  three  of  his  daiigerous  adventures.  The  one  now 
referred  to  occurred  in  IS70.  when  he  was  stationed  at  Fort  Hays,  Kan- 
sas. One  day  in  September  he  received  a  note  from  a  friend  in  Chicago 
saying  that  he  with  two  others  would  come  out  to  take  a  butt'alo  hunt. 

Baldwin  was  quartermaster  of  the  post  at  that  time.  There  was  a  large 
amount  of  transportation,  and  a  great  many  extra  saddle  animals.     Among 


i< 


;  I 


i 

i 

1 

.  i 

w 

w 

\ 

';■ 

i 

12f) 


PERSONAL  KECOr. LECTIONS  OF 


iir 


the  liorsps  which  he  used  liiinsclf  was  an  extra  tine  "hnttalo  hoise."  Sncli 
a  one  is  an  animal  that  will  i-ide  into  a  herd  without  fear  and  seem  to  he 
as  keen  as  his  rider  to  overtake  a  particular  hnlTalo.  As  soon  as  he  com- 
prelh  lids  which  particular  animal  his  rider  desires  to  secure  he  will  fol- 
low him  and  run  close  to  his  side,  and  the  moment  the  shot  is  tired,  he 
will  instantly  turn  from  the  hulTalo  to  avoid  the  invariahle  charge  which 
the  wounded  animal  makes  in  order  to  j^ore  and  punish  his  pursuer.  This 
horse  was  one  of  the  nu)st  })erfect  of  its  kind,  and  it  was  no  poor  horse- 
man that  (MMild  remain  on  his  hack  after  tiring  the  shot,  unless  he  thor- 
oughly understood  his  hahits.  Of  course  when  the  friend  and  his  party 
came  it  was  incnnd»ent  upon  Baldwin  to  give  him  the  hest  huft'alo  horse, 
while  he.  himself,  was  ohliged  to  ride  an  untrained  one  h'om  the  corral. 

They  rode  out  with  great  expectations  of  having  a  fine  time,  and  after 
traveling  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  from  the  jiost,  discovered  their  first  herd 
of  buffaloes.  Baldwin  had  warned  the  gentleman  who  was  riding  his  horse 
of  the  necessity  of  watching  him  after  tiring,  l)ut  feeling  confident  that  in 
u!  0  excitement  of  his  first  chase  he  would  forget  all  ahout  it.  kept  along 
cio  ')  beside  him  ;  and  sure  enough,  the  first  shot  he  tired  when  about  hfty 
yards  from  the  buffalo,  the  animal  made  his  sharp  turn,  and  off  went  the  rider. 

After  getting  him  up  and  on  the  horse  again.  Baldwin  tlK)ught  he 
would  show  what  he  could  do  himself:  so  with  the  green  horse  on  which  he 
was  mounted,  he  started  for  a  fine  bull  and  soon  overtook  him.  By  a  little 
urging  he  was  able  to  get  the  horse  close  beside  him,  and  then  fired,  mor- 
tally wounding  the  animal:  but  the  horse  instead  of  trying  to  escape  the 
brute,  kept  along  by  his  side.  Almost  instantly  after  the  shot  was  tired, 
the  buffalo  turiunl  and  caught  the  lr,»rse  just  behind  the  Hanks,  and  imbedded 
his  horns,  tearing  the  horse  to  pieces  and  throwing  Baldwin  over  the 
buffalo,  where  he  alighted  on  his  head  and  shoulders  and  remained  uncon- 
scious for  several  minutes.  When  he  came  to  his  senses  the  buit'alo  was 
standing  there,  bleeding  at  the  mouth  and  nose,  with  his  four  legs  spread 
out  and  in  the  last  agonies  of  death,  but  looking  fiercely  at  Baldwin, 
watching  for  the  least  indication  of  life;  and  had  the  latter  nuide  the  least 
movement  as  he  no  doui)t  would  have  done  if  he  had  had  the  strength,  he 
would  have  been  gored  to  death.  The  })arts  of  the  horse  were  still  hang- 
ing to  the  horns  of  the  buffalo.  Fortunately  this  condition  of  affairs  re- 
mained for  a  minute  only,  when  the  buffalo  fell  dead  with  his  head  within 
a  few  feet  of  Baldwin's  person. 

Taking  the  satldle  off  his  lh»rse.  and  getting  his  i)istol,  in  a  few 
minutes  a  fresh  horse  was  brought.     By  this  time  nearly  all  the  party 


had 
most 
the 
headl 
ChicJ 
\^ 
the 
perf(l 
herd 
dred 
grouj 
the  r 
they 
the 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


127 


had  withered  at  the  phice,  and  as  this  was  the  Hrst  l)iitt'alo  that 
most  of  tlieni  had  ever  seen  killed,  tiiey  insisted  that  they  must  have 
the  head  and  other  parts  of  tlie  animal  as  trophies  of  the  hunt.  The 
head  now  decorates  one  of  the  otiices  of  a  prominent  railroad  ofiicial  in 
Chicago. 

What  was  regarded  by  the  Indians  as  royal  sport  has  been  denominated 
the  "surround."  It  required  a  Ijody  of  three  or  four  hundred  warriors  to 
perform  it  satisfactorily.  First  a  few  runners  were  sent  out  to  discover  a 
herd  of  buffaloes,  frequently  selecting  one  containing  as  many  as  two  hun- 
dred. Then  dividing  the  force  of  warriors,  and  selecting  some  four  or  five 
groups  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty  each,  these  would  take  positic  .  outside 
the  moving  body  that  was  to  encircle  the  herd,  at  prominent  points  where 
they  could  give  chase  to  and  destroy  any  buffalo  that  might  break  through 
the  closing-in-line  and  escai)e.  The  nuiin  body  then  proceeded  to  sur- 
round the  herd.  They  went  in  groups  to  different  sides  of  the  herd  and 
then  gradually  apjn-oached  from  all  directions,  closing  the  aninuils  in  and 
setting  them  to  running  in  a  circle  within  that  formed  by  the  converging 
and  contracting  line  of  warriors.  So  skillfully  was  this  managed  that 
they  would  keep  the  herd  in  motion,  alternating  in  the  chase  and  tiring, 
until  they  had  destroyed  the  entire  number.  This  must  have  approached 
more  nearly  than  any  other  sjiort  to  the  excitement  of  a  battle,  exhibiting 
the  same  skillful  horsenuinship  and  nuirksmanship  without  the  attendant 
danger  to  themselves. 

In  the  dead  of  winter,  when  the  snow  lay  deep  in  the  extreme  North 
and  lu)rses  could  not  be  brought  into  the  chase  to  advantage,  the  Indian 
would  run  upon  the  surface  of  the  snow  by  the  aid  of  snowshoes,  while 
the  great  weight  of  the  buffaloes,  sinking  them  deep  even  when  the  snow 
was  heavily  encrusted,  rendered  them  easy  victims  to  the  bow  or  lance  of 
their  pursuers.  The  snow  being  blown  from  the  tops  and  sides  of  the  hills, 
leaving  the  bare  grass  for  the  buffaloes  to  feed  ui)on.  would  drift  in  the  low- 
lands and  ravines  to  a  great  depth.  When  closely  pursued  the  buffalo 
would  endeavor  t(^  lunge  through  this  snow  l)ut  would  soon  be  hopelessly 
wedged  in  and  become  an  easy  prey  to  the  Indian  hunter.  TIk^  snowshoes 
were  made  in  many  forms,  two  or  three  feet  in  length  and  a  foot  or  more 
in  width,  of  hoops  bent  around  for  the  frame  with  a  netting  of  strings  of 
rawhide  woven  across,  on  which  their  feet  rested  and  to  which  they  were 
fastened  with  straps  or  thongs.  With  them  the  Indians  would  glide  over 
the  snow  with  great  ease  and  astonishing  rapidity.  Another  method  of 
the  Indian  was  to  disguise  himself  under  the  skin  of  a  wolf,  and  crawl  up 


'1 


:^)l 


l! 


m 


I ! '  <\ 


% 


12S 


TEHSONAL  KECOLLKCTroXS  OF 


!* 


/I    1 


MImi 
hit  i ''  •  ■.  •/■ . 


'''m 


'%m: 


<i£!t_ 


on   his   hands  and   knee.s   until   witiiin   a   few   rods  of  an   unsuspectin*' 
group  of  buffaloes  and  easily  shoot  down  the  fattest  of  the  herd. 

The  fleet-footed  antelope  roamed  the  plains  country  in  countless  num- 
bers, and  the  prairie  dog  established  "towns"  of  vast  extent,  where  it 
lived  in  seeming  amity  with  the  owl  and  the  rattlesnake. 

There  were  several  varieties  of  wolves  on  the  plains,  the  most  numerous 
being  the  coyote  and  the  most  formidable  being  the  gray  wolf,  often  as 

.large  as  a  Newfoundland  dog. 
They  were  gregarious, being  sonie- 
times.seen  in  packs  of  fifty  orsixty. 
They  were  always  to  be  seen 
following  about  in  the  vicinity  of 
herds  of  buffaloes, 
^'^^^^^pi3^,,^_._:-._  standing    ready    to 

pick    the    l)ones  of 
those    the    hunters 
left  on  the  ground, 
or  to  overtake 
-  ■    '  o  r     de vou  r 
those  that 
rr .     were  wound- 
ed, and  which 
consequently 
fell    an   easy 
V       prey  to  them. 
^r      While     the 
herd  of  Imft'a- 
loes  were  to- 
gether   they 
seemed     to 
wolf,  and   al- 
c  1  ose  to  the 
of    the  wolf 
When  the  buffaloes 
but  as   the  buffaloes 


"^"^^'^^^c^^mg^ 


^-?%^;.=' 


HUXTIXG   Bl'FF  <  '  OES    IX   "WlNTER. 


^I^^^'^-' 


have  little  dread  of  the     .     ''^  "'  '        '     - 

lowed   them    to    come  "    •"^;'   .    ' 

herd.     It  was  this  habit 

which  suggested   the  above  described  stratagem. 

were  al)undant  these  wolves  were  harmless  to  man 

diminished  in  num])er,  and  the  food  supply  became  precarious,  they  grew 

ferocious  when  made  ravenous  by  hunger. 

During  my  campaign  in  January.  1S75.  about  ninety  miles  west  of  Fort 
Sill,  Indian  Territory,  Captain  Baldwin  and  I  were  one  day  quite  a  long 


distail 
was  si 

leadiil 

yardsl 

whitel 

yardsl 

very 

as  I  j( 

upon 

Bakh^ 

ISGO, 

"1 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


129 


distance  in  advance  of  the  command,  looking  over  the  country.  The  cold 
was  so  intense  that  we  had  dismounted  and  were  walking  to  keep  waini. 
leading  our  horses  over  the  thin,  crisp  snow.  We  were  about  two  hundred 
yards  apart  when  we  discovered  two  great  gray  wolves.  They  were  nearly 
white  and  the  largest  1  have  ever  seen.  They  were  about  live  nundied 
yards  to  the  right  and  front  of  IJaldwin.  who  was  on  my  right,  and  moved 
very  slowly  and  independently  toward  him.  We  both  n)ounted,  and  just 
as  I  joined  Baldwin,  the  wolves  .saw  the  head  of  the  column  a})pear,  where- 
ui)on  they  leisurely  moved  away.  In  referring  to  this  occurrence.  Captain 
Baldwin  gave  me  an  account  of  an  incident  that  happened  to  him  in  May, 
LSG(),  which,  using  hisown  language,  is  as  follows: 

"I  was  stationed  at  Fort  llarkcr.  Kansas,  in  coiinnand  of  a  coniitany  of  tin-  Tliirtv- 
sevcntli  Infantry.  Fort  Harker  was  lomti'd  on  tlie  overland  stage  ronte  from  Fort  Kiley 
to  Denver,  and  after  leaving  Fort  llarker  it  was  nnsafe  for  anyone  to  travel  in  daylight 
except  with  a  good  eseort  of  troops. 

"In  December  of  this  year  the  Indians  became  so  bad  that  it  was  necessary  to  stop 
every  other  stage  at  llarker.  and  run  thnmirh  with  two  stages,  one  loaded  with  L'nited 
States  mail,  anil  the  other  with  troops.  In  addition  to  this,  at  every  mail-station  where 
they  kept  the  relay  of  horses,  we  had  a  good  IkhIv  of  troops  to  protect  the  station.  In  the 
month  of  December  it  was  my  turn  in  regular  detail  to  guard  a  section  of  sixty  miles  of 
this  mail-line.  I  had  four  stations,  with  twenty  men  at  each  station,  and  from  fifteen  to 
twenty  men  that  I  used  to  load  onto  the  extra  coach  and  the  mail-coach.  1  was  obliged 
to  insjiect  these  stations  at  least  once  a  week,  usually  makiii<r  the  ride  in  the  night,  going 
the  entire  distance  of  sixty  milt*s  in  one  night  and  back  the  next. 

■'On  one  of   these  trips  I  stop  ibout   tliirty  miles  from  the  fort   to  have  a  buffalo 

hunt,  and  hunted  all  day,  but  at  ni;,.ii  i  was  obliged  to  start  back  for  the  post.  ]  left  this 
thirty-mile  station  about  four  o'cloik  in  the  afternoon,  in  a  light  snowstorm,  with  a  toler- 
ably fresh  horse  that  was  both  strong  and  spirited.  I  was  entirely  alone,  and  armed  only 
with  a  small  S(\  calibre  ])istol,  depending  almost  entirely  up(m  my  l-orse  to  escape  any 
danger  from  Indians,  and  not  anticipating  danger  from  any  other  source. 

"I  had  ridden  about  ten  miles  when  it  began  to  grow  dark.  My  horse  taking  an  easy 
trot,  I  was  rather  enjoying  the  ride.  1  had  noticed  previous  to  this  the  howlini«-  of  the 
wolves,  but  had  paid  very  little  attention  to  it.  As  1  rod»  along,  however,  I 
noticed  that  this  howling  began  to  get  closer,  ard  at  length  was  aroused  from  my  reverie 
by  the  bark  and  howl  of  two  or  three  wolves  very  close  to  me.  Looking  back  1  saw  two 
coyotes  and  one  big  prairie  or  'lobo'  wolf  following  close  behind  me.  and  howlini^  their 
utmost.  This  rather  startleil  tlio  iioise  as  you  may  be  sure  it  also  did  me.  1  increased  my 
speed,  but  still  they  gained  on  me,  and  it  wasn't  long  before  their  number  grew  to  a  dozen 
or  more,  anil  the  distance  between  them  and  my  horse  was  very  nuicli  lessened. 

•'  I  began  to  appreciate  the  danger,  and  realized  for  the  first  time  that  I  had  a  vvea])on 
with  which  it  was  very  doubtful  whether  1  could  defend  myself  ao-ainst  such  ravenous 
beasts  as  these.  I  recalled  the  fact  that  just  before  leaving  1  had  counted  the  number  of 
rounds  of  ammunition  I  had,  which  was  just  forty-nine. 


,1     i! 


;      I 


i.      i 


I;l 


I 


/I 


'■  1;^ 


mi 


li 


i! 


i;]0 


I'KlfSONAL  HfclCOhLKCTlONS  OF 


"  1  liad  It'ft  till?  stiiijo  route,  intcndini;  to  ^o  to  the  post  by  a  trail  wliicli  would  savp 
nit?  soiiii'tliinj^f  iiinrt'  tliau  live  iiiilt's  in  distaiict'.  and  as  it  was  dark  I  had  no  liopos  of  jruin- 
iiiir  out'  of  till)  stations  aioiijf  the  route,  hut  was  oi)li<^rt'd  to  keep  to  the  trail,  trusting''  to 
my  mount  to  tako  me  out  of  what  had  now  become  a  real  dan^fer.  The  wolves  ke|it  j,'ain- 
in^  on  me  until  they  had  tfot  within  a  very  short  distance  before  I  fired  the  lirst  shot  at 
them,  which  fortiinatelv  disabled  one  of  tht>ir  number  to  the  extetit  that  the  blooti  ran  from 
him,  and  ho  bej^^an  to  howl,  whereupon  the  whole  pack  poum-ed  upon  him  and  tore  him  to 
pieces.  This  j^avo  mo  a  little  start  of  one  or  two  hundred  yards  before  they  conmienced 
following  a<fain.  Every  shot  I  lired  was  with  the  ^freatost  caro,  and  it  was  very  seldom 
that  I  missed  disabling'  or  killing'  one  of  them. 

"  Afraid  of  tirinj>"  mv  horse  at  the  start,  I  rode  very  carefully.  The  number  of  the 
wolves  increased  usitil  there  were  not  less  than  from   lifty  to  seventy-fi'o  of  them,  and  they 


Cai'taix  Baldwin  Ciiaskd  by  Woi.vks. 


followoil  me  for  at  least  twenty  miles, 

t'uttinif  my  horse   in   the   rear,  often 

^ettinji^  almost  in  his  front,  aiid  ena- 

blin<r  mo  to  shoot  from  rij^ht  *o  left, 

firint;  when  the  animals  were  not  four 

feet  distant  from  me.      Fortiinatelv  I 

ran  throui»'liu  larijje  herd  of  buffaloes, 

which  1  think  diverted  a  laro-e   ])ortion  of  the  wolves   from   followiiiij   n.e.     Still   some  of 

them  kept  after  me  until  I  i>;ot  within  live  miles  of  the  post,  at  which  ])oint  I  only  had  four 

rounds  of  ammunition   left,  and   felt  that  it  was  necessary   to  make  a  sujireme   effort  to 

escape  from  them.     My  horse  was  nearly  used  up,  and  was  bleediiiir  from  the  wounds  of 

the  wolves,  l)ut    I  put  spurs  to  him,  urnino-  him  to  his  utmost  speed,  and  reached  the  bank 

of  the  Smoky  Hill  Kiver,  on  the  side  of  which  the  jiost  was  U)cated,  completely  exhausted 

from  fatijjfue  and  excitement,  and  my  horse  dropped  dead  before  T   could  «(et  the  saddle 

off  of  him.      1  then  waded  the  river  thoui^h  it  was  filled  with  floatinjj'  ice." 

Ill  all  that  country  ranged  by  the  buffalo,  was.  and  is  still  to  some 
extent,  found  the  prairie  chicken.  This  bird  is  also  found  in  great  num- 
bers east  of  that  belt,  in  the  States  of  Iowa,  Illinois  and  }.linnesota.     This 


regnl 
of  til 
varit 
T' 


GKNKHAL  NKLSON   A.  MILKS. 


131 


rcj^'lon  during'  tlio  spring  siiid  suitmnii  is  also  a  stoppiiif;  phicp  in  the  liannts 
of  tho  water  fowl,  siiipo.  curk'W.  wild  ducks  and  wild  ^M'esu  of  every 
variety. 

There  is  an  old  saying  on  the  i»laiiis  that  "when  an  Indian  wants  meat, 
he  hunts  ^'anie ;  wlien  he  wants  sport,  he  hunts  the  whitf  man."  My 
personal  ex[>eri<Mice  with  ^'ame  and  hunting'  has  been  somewhat  limited. 
I)urin}4  the  months  and  years  that  I  was  in  that  remote  wild  country  of 
the  West,  most  of  my  time  was  devoted  to  hunting  hostile  Indians,  aud 
avoidini^  hein^  ambushed  or  surprised  by  them.  Durin;^'  my  experience 
in  Kansas  in  the  early  part  (►f  IS7(),  I  found  some  h'isure,  however,  to  de- 
vote to  hunting  bulTaloes  with  (ieneral  Custer,  who  had  a  cavalry  command 
near  mine,  and  who  was  well  e(piii)ped  with  horses  and  a  lary;e  pack  of 
do^'s.  I  also  found  much  healthful  exercise  and  recreation  in  huntiu}^ 
prairie  chickens  and  (piail  over  the  rolling  prairies  of  Kansas,  where  there 
was  i>lenty  of  cover  in  the  wild  ^'rass,  which  yet  was  not  so  hi^h  but  that 
we  could  see  the  intelligent  and  well-trained  setters  and  ixtinters  work  to 
perfection.  I  preferred  the  prairie  chi<dven  to  the  ((uail  as  beinj.?  a  much 
better  nuirk  as  well  as  a  finer  bird.  The  wild  duck  could  be  found  in 
^reat  numbers  at  that  time  in  western  Kansas.  In  the  timbered  reaches 
of  the  "  Hockies"  the  blue  grouse  aj-e  ([uite  abundant.  This  bird  is  much 
like  the 


iiKe  rne  i)rairie  chicken,  ot  dark  i)lunui{j:e,  and,  witn  the  rarer  pine  hen, 
is  much  esteemed  for  its  delicate,  sweet  Hesh.  It  is  rather  too  stupid  a 
bird  to  attord  much  sport  with  the  shotgun,  for  when  it  lights  in  a  [)ine 
tree  it  cannot  easily  be  made  to  take  wing  again.  These  birds  show 
much  skill  in  drawing  the  hunter  away  from  the  young  brood  concealed 
in  the  grass  or  underbrush.  They  will  Hutter  along  in  a  seemingly  half- 
exhausted  way  just  in  advance  of  the  ])ursuer,  enticing  him  on  until  a  safe 
distance  is  attained. 

During  the  construction  of  the  trans-continental  railroads  a  large 
amount  of  game  was  killed  for  the  use  of  the  men  employed  in  that  work. 
In  this  way  William  F,  Cody  made  his  reputation  as  a  buffalo  hunter. 
He  was  at  that  time  a  young  man  in  the  twenties,  tall,  stalwart  and  of 
magnificent  physique ;  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  powerful  men  I 
have  ever  known,  with  locks  of  a  golden  hue,  large,  brilliant,  dark  eyes 
and  perfect  features.  He  was  a  daring  rider,  and  a  most  expert  rifleman. 
He  excelled  in  the  rush  after  game,  and  could  kill  more  buffaloes  during  a 
single  run  than  any  other  man  I  have  ever  known.  He  not  only  took 
the  risks  of  a  desperate  chase,  but  he  and  his  party  had  to  be  con- 
stantly on  the  lookout  for  Indians.     Under  his  contract,  he,  for  quite  a 


;'  f 


'.J; 


n 


I'ifi] 


VV2 


l"h:WS()N.\I.  IfKCOl.l.KCTlONS  OF 


!•  , 


l(Mij;  tiiiic  snppli*')!  tli(>  railnuul  contnictors  aii<l  hiiil^lcrs  \.itli  meat  in  this 
iiiaiiiKM'. 

Kurthcr  north  in  Montana.  althou^Mi  the  conntry  was  alivcMvith  hirgo 
^anM',  my  cominand  was  so  incessantly  occnpicd  a;/ainst  th»'  Indians  that 
it  was  rarely  any  attention  conld  he  paid  to  jianie,  except  occasionally 
hntl'alo,  deer,  and  inonntain  sli(>ep.  I  re^'ardthe  nionntain  she(>p  or  hij^'- 
horn.  as  the  finest  of  all  lar/^'e  ^nmie  to  hnnt.  To  snccessfnlly  hnnt  this 
aninuil  recpiires  ^'reater  skill,  harder  work,  and  more  dan^'erons  clinihing. 
'I'hey  I'recpient  the  little  mesas  and  ledp's  at  the  loot  of  i»recipitous  clift's. 
They  are  very  keen-sighted  and  dillicidt  of  a[>proach.  When  in  repose  they 
lire  nsnally  fonnd  on  little  ledgeswhere  they  cansnrvey  theconntry  holow. 
For  this  reason  the  hnnter  aims  to  g(»t  above  them.aial  is  pre[»ared  to.sjioot 
at  first  sight,  'i'he  skin  on  the  knee  and  hrisket  of  the  monntain  sheep  is 
nearly  an  inch  thick,  made  so  hy  kneeling  on  the  sharp  rcx'ks.  In  the 
Itroken  conntry  of  the  Kockies  the  hiack-tailed  deer  are  nearly  as 
snrefooted  as  the  mountain  sheep,  and  freipiently  use  the  trails  of  the 
latter. 

After  the  Indians  had  been  thoroughly  cleared  out  of  that  country,  and 
before  it  became  settled  by  the  white  people,  game  wa.s  found  in  great 
abundance.  In  October,  1S7'.),  1  left  Fort  Keogh.  Montana,  with  a  party  of 
eight  oflicers.  twelve  .soldiers,  and  five  Indians,  for  a  hunt  along  the  valley 
of  the  Hosebud.  \Ve  were  gcuie  six  days  and  had  great  success.  During 
that  time  we  killed  sixty  large  deer,  three  antelopes,  one  mountain 
sheep,  five  elks,  .seventeen  butfaloes.  .seventy  prairie  chickens  and  six  ducks. 
Ai  that  .sea.son  of  the  year  the  nights  were  cold,  and  the  game,  if  properly 
dres.sed  and  hung  up,  would  freeze  solid  during  the  night.  In  this  way  we 
were  able  to  save  nuKst  of  it.  and  on  our  return  to  the  i)ost  we  had  ten  six- 
mule  wagon  teams  heavily  loaded  with  the  tr<>phies  of  our  riHes.  There 
was  a  feast  for  the  whole  garrison  of  four  hundred  men,  I  doubt  whether  a 
party  of  hunters  could  find  that  amount  of  large  game  in  .six  days  any- 
where in  North  America  at  the  present  time.  All  the  buffaloes  have  dis- 
appeared, and  neai'ly  all  the  deer,  antelope  and  elk.  The  black-tailed  deer 
was  the  l^est  of  all  the  large  game  except  the  mountain  sheep,  which  was 
considered  the  choicest,  richest,  rarest  meat  the  hunter  could  obtain.  There 
is  still  very  good  hunting  in  the  right  season  along  the  lakes  of  Minnesota, 
North  Dakota  and  ManitoI)a;  prairie  chickens  along  the  plains  of  Dakota 
and  Nebraska:  quail  and  prairie  diickens  in  western  Kansas  and  Indian 
Territory,  and  wild  duck  is  found  in  Indian  Territory,  Texas,  Nebraska, 
the  Dakotas  and  Montana, 


large 


(;.  .>K|{.\I,  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


i:{:{ 


Alxmt  tlie  most  int(»restin^' sport  I  luivo  over  cii^'ii^'od  in  was  tlic  lumt- 
iiij^  of  ljir}/e  wolves  in  tiie  Indian  Territory  in  1S7'),  where  they  were 
foniul  in  j^neat  nninhers.  A  party  of  hunters,  very  often  nninlterin^'  from 
ten  to  twenty,  ami  well  mounted,  would  move  out  to  a  *"«livid«»"  or  hi^di 
v'uh^o  of  the  rollin;^'  praiiie.  eacdi  with  a  j^'reyhoiind  or  sta^diound  held  hy  a 
leash,  while  other  men  would  he  sent  alon^' throu^di  the  timher  in  the  ra- 
vines with  deerhounds  and  hloodhounds  to  start  the  wolves  out  (»f  the  tim- 
her and  onto  the  hi;^di  ;^M'oun<l.  The  moment  they  ap|>eared  and  undertook 
to  cross  the  prairie,  a  si^Muil  would  he  j;iven  and  the  do^'s  let  loose;  the 
r"sult  would  he  a  },'rand  chase  of  from  three  to  live  miles,  windinjx  up  with 
i  tierce  H^ht.  Tlu'  lar;ie  }^'ray  wolves  were  very  [(owerful ;  you  could  hear 
their  jaws  snap  a  lon^'  distan<'e  away,  and  fre(|uently  they  cut  tluMlo^'s 
very  hadly.  When  any  one  do<,'  had  couraj;e  enough  to  attack,  all  the 
others  would  rush  in,  aiul  1  have  freciuently  seen  the  whole  pack  upon  one 
larj^e  wolf. 

There  is,  however,  rarer  sport  to  me  in  huntinj^'  the  l>earwith  a  well- 
trained  i)ack  of  do^'s.  Mr.  Monta{.;ue  S.  Stevens  of  New  Mexico  had,  with 
a  few  of  my  own.  a  tine  pack  of  do^s.  <  omposed  of  hloodhounds,  fox  ter- 
riers, stajjhounds,  hoarhounds  and  Russian  wolfhounds.  The  first  were 
used  as  trailers,  and  taken  alto^'ether  they  w(>uld  tree  or  ))rin^'  to  hay  any 
hear  found  in  that  country.  In  fact  they  fonyht  the  hear  so  furiously  that 
he  would  pay  little  attention  to  the  hunters,  and  permit  them  to  api»r(>acli 
with  ct'uparative  safety.  It  is  interesting;  si)ort,  though  very  ditticult  and 
somewhat  dan<;er()us.  The  hunters  are  usually  mounted  on  sti'on^'.  haidy, 
sure-footed  horses,  as  tliey  are  ohli^ed  to  ride  rapidly  up  and  down  the 
sides  of  precipitous  mountains.  The  mountains  in  that  part  of  the 
country  ran}j;e  from  seven  to  ten  thousand  feet  al)ove  the  sea-level,  and 
are  covered  with  scattering  pine  and  cedar  trees,  with  many  rocks  and 
ledges.  Bear  hunting  is  the  most  dangerous  of  all  kinds  of  sport,  and  is 
uninteresting  unless  one  is  ecjuipped  with  a  well-trained  pack  of  dogs;  a 
pack  used  for  no  other  purpose.  Such  dogs  are  never  allowed  to  hunt  any 
other  game,  such  as  deer  or  elk. 

Along  the  lowlands,  through  which  course  the  trihutaries  of  the  great 
Missouri,  the  Arkansas  and  the  Ked  Rivers,  was  to  he  found  an  al)undant 
stock  of  fish,  not  of  the  finest  quality  it  is  true;  while  along  the  base  of 
the  mountains,  the  streams  were  alive  with  the  finest  mountain 
trout.  In  the  Southwest — Kansas,  the  Indian  Territory,  Texas,  and  New 
Mexico, —  the  wild  turkey  and  quail  were  found  in  the  greatest  abundance. 
IMs  a  singular  fact  that  the  Indians  rarely  utilized  tish  and  snudl  game; 


l^H 


■V:U 


^' ■*    fl'l 


'    -l-l-i LBgWBtt 


i;,iiiiiLj.i uu. 


i 

f 


I  iA 


I  >< 


I 


'r 


f 


m 


r   f 


134 


PERSONAL  HECOIJ.ECTIONS  OF 


the  larj?e  ^ame  was  their  eliief  dependence.  Along  the  whole  extent  of  the 
Kocky  mountains  were  to  he  found  game  and  fish  in  endless  variety,  bear, 
mountain  lion  or  cougar,  deer,  elk  and  mountain  sheep,  while  the  streams 
abounded  with  delicious  trout. 

On  the  Pacific  Slope  very  much  the  same  conditions  prevail  as  to 
animal  life,  except  that  no  trace  of  the  buffalo  is  found  on  the  west  slope 
of  the  l{(jcky  mountains.  'J'he  streams  v,f  the  far  Northwest  were  found 
alive  with  trout  and  salmon  of  the  finest  finality,  and  there  the  Indians, 
unlike  their  brothers  eastward  of  the  i{(K'ky  mountains,  used  the  salmon 
as  their  principal  food.  They  took  them  in  such  ((uantities  at  certain 
seasons  as  to  sui)ply  their  needs  for  the  entire  year,  the  fish  being  dried 
and  cured  for  that  purjKKse.  The}'  also  used  meat,  wild  vegetables  and 
berries  for  food. 

Still  further  north,  in  British  C'olumbia  and  Alaska,  we  find  the  Indians 
living  almost  entirely  upon  fish,  and  their  habits  and  character  are  conse- 
(piently  quite  different  from  those  of  their  caridvorous  brethren  of  the 
plains. 

The  game  of  the  West  has  rapidly  disappeared  before  the  huntsman's 
rifle.  It  is  a  fair  estimate  that  four  million  l)uffaloes  were  killed  within 
t 'in  five  years  between  1S74  and  1S7*J,  from  what  was  known  as  the  South- 
1*11  herd,  which  roamed  through  northern  Texas,  the  Indian  Territory. 
Kansas  and  Nebiaska.  J  let  ween  1S7.S  and  1SS3  the  great  Northern  herd 
—  (juite  as  numerous  —  roaming  through  the  Dakotas.  Wyoming  and  j\Ion- 
tana.  was  destroyed  in  ike  manner.  The  hunters  received  on  an  average 
from  $2.50  to  $o.5()  per  hide,  to  be  ship]ie(l  out  of  the  countrv  and  sold  for 
leather-making,  belting,  harness-making  and  for  kindred  p;irposes.  Thou- 
sands of  men  were  engaged  in  the  enterprise.  The  most  successful  hunt- 
ing parties  cojisisted  of  a  hunter  and  about  six  men  known  as  strippers. 
The  time  usually  selected  for  taking  the  buffaloes  was  just  after  they  had 
been  grazing  m  the  morning,  had  gone  to  the  water  and  then  returned  to 
the  high  ground,  lying  down  to  rest  in  bunches  of  from  twenty  to  a  hundred. 
The  hunter,  with  the  longest  range  rifle  of  the  heaviest  caliber  he  could 
obtain,  would  hre  from  the  leewai'd  side,  y-o  far  away  that  the  crack  of  the 
rifle  could  not  be  heard  by  the  bufTalo€\><.  and  being  behind  a  bush  or  a  bunch 
of  grass,  could  not  be  seen.  In  that  way  he  would  kill  from  a  dozen  to  a 
hundred  a  day.  without  disturbing  the  herd  to  any  great  extent.  The 
buffalo  receiving  a  mortal  wound  would  bleed  to  death,  while  his  neighbors, 
r^melling  the  bloou.  would  sometimes  come  near  him  and  paw"  the  ground, 
and  so  stand  until  they,  too,  would  receive  their  death-wounds.     The  strip- 


pers] 

the 

theyl 

TopI 

one 

manl 

mor] 

aroui 

dest] 

only! 

extri 

tion 


GENERAL  NELSON 'A.  MILES. 


135 


pei'S  would  then  come  up  with  ox  teams,  take  off  the  hides,  put  them  in 
the  wagons,  and  transport  them  to  the  nearest  raih-oad  station,  whence 
they  were  shipped  to  marlvet.  At  one  station  alone  on  the  Atchison, 
Topeka  and  Santa  Fe  Kailroad  as  many  as  750,000  hides  were  shipped  in 
one  year. 

After  taking  the  hide  off  the  l)utt'alo.  the  carcass  would  he  poisoned  in 
many  cases,  some  yearling  l)iitt'al()  heing  generally  selected,  and  next 
morning  there  might  be  found  forty  or  lifty  dead  wolves  lying  scattered 
around,  victims  of  the  strychnine.  In  this  way  the  large  game  was  rai)idly 
destroyed,  together  with  countless  numbers  of  wolves  that  had  thrived 
only  by  preying  upon  them.  This  might  seem  like  cruelty  and  wasteful 
extravagance,  but  the  butt'alo.  like  the  Indian,  stood  in  the  way  of  civiliza- 
tion and  in  the  path  of  progress,  and  the  decree  had  gone  forth  that  they 
must  both  give  way.  It  was  impossil)le  to  herd  domestic  stock  in  a  coun- 
try where  they  were  constantly  liable  to  l)e  stampeded  by  the  moving 
herds  of  wild  animals.  The  same  territory  which  a  quarter  of  a  century 
ago  was  supporting  those  vast  herds  of  wild  game,  is  now  covered  with 
domestic  aninuils  which  afford  the  food  supply  for  hundreds  of  millions  of 
people  in  civilized  countries. 


II 


i! 


!  !? 


i;  f 


'::i 


^.~"'M 


u 


rl 


iii 


136 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Indian  During  the  Civil  War. 

Indian  Uprisino  in  Mixnksota  —  Caisks  LKAi)iN(i  Tiihkkto  —  CrovKKNoK  Kamsey's  Indian  Coun- 

cii.  —  Hici)   Iron  —  Lkan  Bkar — Tiik  Ciiivinuton  Massacre  —  Uenekai,  Dodge's 

Indian  Campaigns  —  The  Bent  Boys  —  Major  North  —  Discovery   of 

Gold    in   the    Black    Hills — The    Peace  Commission  — 

CfENEKAL   Connor  —  Battle    ok    the    Tongie 

River  —  The  Fetterman  Massacre. 

GENT  need  of  practically  withdrawing  the  troops  from  t\e 
fr(/ntier,  forced  uiion  the  government  by  the  exigencies  of  the 
Civil  War  and  the  continuance  of  that  contest  for  four  years, 
gave  the  Indians  encouragement  as  well  as  opportunity  to  ac- 
([uire  firearms  and  munitions  of  war  which  they  would  not 
otherwise  have  l)een  able  to  obtain.  The  disastrous  results  were 
soon  felt  all  along  the  frontier,  especially  in  the  Northwest, 
wiiere  occurred  what  is  known  as  the  "^linnescta  Massacre  of 
1862,"  and  in  the  Southwest,  particularly  in  Arizona  and  New  Mex- 
ico ;  and  it  l^ecame  speedily  apparent  that  whatever  the  pressure  at 
the  front,  large  bodies  of  volunteer  troops  must  be  located  and  maintained 
in  the  Indian  country,  sufficient  to  overawe  the  hostile  tribes  and  keep 
them  in  subjection. 

The  Indian  uprising  in  Minnesotr  in  the  year  1862,  like  many  others, 
was  that  of  a  people  quiet  and  semi-civilized,  to  avenge  real  or  imaginary 
wrongs.  They  suddenly  rose  and  fell  upon  the  unprotected  settlements 
and  destroyed  upward  of  a  thousand  people  —  men.  women  and  children. 
As  speedily  as  p()ssi1)le  a  large  force  of  trocps  was  thrown  against  the  hos- 
tiles,  under  the  command  of  General  Sil)ley,  who  conducted  an  energetic  and 
successful  campaign,  resulting  in  the  sul)jugati<)n  of  such  portions  of  the 
Sioux  Indians  as  did  not  escape  across  the  border  into  Canadian  territory. 
The  following  extract  from  "  Heard's  History  of  the  Sioux  AVar"  will  ex- 
hibit some  of  the  causes  leading  finally  to  that  outbreak.  The  council  re- 
ferred to  in  the  extract  was  held  in  Noveml)er,  1852,  and  was  of  great 
importance,  as  bearing  upon  subsecinent  events. 

'•  The  room  was  crowded  with  liidiaiis  and  wliite  men  when  Red  Iron  was  brought  in 
guarded  by  soldiers.  He  was  al)()ut  forty  years  ohl.  tall  and  athletic  ;  about  six  feet  in 
his  moccasins,  with  a  large,  well-develoiied  head,  a(|niline  nose,  thin   compressenl  lips,  and 


physic 
haif-Ii 
greetiJ 
in  the 


when 

should! 
with  hi 
firm  v(| 


have 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


137 


physiofjnomv  beaniinfj  with  intelliijeiice  and  resolution.  He  was  dad  in  the  iialf-military, 
half-Indian  costume  of  the  Dakota  chiefs.  He  was  seated  in  the  council-room  without 
frreetin^f  or  salutation  from  any  one.  In  a  few  minutes  the  governor,  turniniif  to  the  chief 
in  the  midst  of  a  breathless  silence,  by  the  aid  of  an  interpreter  opened  the  council. 

"GovKHNOU  Hamsky  asked  :  'What  excuse  have  vou  for  not  cominif  to  the  council 
when  I  sent  for  you  V 

"The  chief  rose  to  his  feet  with  native  ijrace  and  difjnity.  his  blanket  falling  from  his 
shoulders,  and  purposelv  droppint;  the  pijit?  of  peace  he  stood  erect  before  the  i^overnor 
with  his  aviiiS  folded,  and  his  right  hand  pressed  on  the  sheath  of  his  scalping  knife  With 
firm  voice  he  replied  : 

•  I  started  to  come,  but  your  braves  drove  me  back.' 

■•GovKKXOK  Ramsey:  "What  excuse  have  you  for  not  coming  the  second  time  I 
sent  for  you  ?' 

••  Red  Irox  :    '  Nt)  other  excuse  than  I  have  given  you.' 

••  Gt)VEi{XOK  Ramsey  :  'At  the  treaty  I  thought  you  a  good  man,  but  since  you 
have  acted  badly,  I  am  disposed  to  break  you.      I  do  break  you.' 

••Red  Iiu>n'  :  'You  break  me  I  Mv  ])eople  made  me  a  chief.  My  ]»eople  love  me.  I 
will  still  be  their  chief.     I  have  done  nothing  wrong.' 

••  GovEKXOu  Ramsey  :  '  Why  did  you  get  your  braves  together  and  march  around 
here  for  the  jmrpose  of  intimidating  other  chiefs,  and  prevent  their  coming  to  the 
council  ?' 

"  Red  Iron  :  '  I  did  not  get  my  braves  together,  they  got  together  themselves  to  y)re- 
»'ent  boys  going  to  council  to  be  made  chiefs  to  sign  ])apers,  and  to  ]>revent  single  chiefs 
going  to  council  at  night,  to  be  bribed  tc  sign  papers  for  money  we  iiave  never  got.  We 
have  heard  how  the  Medewakantons  were  served  at  Mendota  ;  that  by  secret  councils  you 
got  their  names  on  paper,  and  took  away  their  money.  We  don't  want  to  be  served  so. 
My  braves  wanted  to  come  to  council  in  the  daytime,  when  the  sun  shines,  and  we  want 
no  councils  in  the  dark.  We  want  all  our  people  to  go  to  council  together,  so  that  we  can 
all  know  what  is  done.' 

"Governor  Ramsey  :  •  Why  did  you  attempt  to  come  to  council  with  your  braves, 
when  I  had  forbidden  your  braves  coinijig  to  council  V 

"Red  Iron:  'You  invited  the  chiefs  only,  and  would  not  let  the  braves  come  too. 
This  is  not  tlie  way  we  have  been  treated  before,  and  t'lis  is  not  according  to  our  customs; 
for  among  Dakotas.  chiefs  and  braves  go  to  council  together.  When  you  first  sent  for  us 
there  were  two  or  tiiree  chiefs  here,  and  we  wanted  to  wait  till  the  rest  would  come,  that 
we  might  all  be  in  council  together  and  know  what  was  done,  and  so  that  we  might  all 
understand  the  pa{)ers.  and  know  what  we  were  signing.  When  we  signed  the  treaty  the 
traders  threw  a  blanket  t)ver  .)ur  faces  and  darkened  our  eyes,  and  made  us  sign  pa{)ers 
which  we  did  not  understand,  and  which  were  not  explained  or  read  to  us.  We  want  our 
Great  Father  at  Washington  to  know  what  has  been  done." 

"Governor  Rajisey  :  "Your  Great  Father  has  sent  me  to  represent  him,  and  what 
I  say  is  what  lie  says.  He  wants  you  to  pay  your  old  debts  in  accord'uu-e  with  the  paper 
you  signed  when  the  treaty  was  made,  and  to  leave  that  money  in  my  hands  to  pay  these 
dobts.      If  you  refuse  to  do  this  1  will  take  the  money  back." 

"  Red  Iron  :  'You  can  take  the  money  back.  We  sold  our  land  to  you.  and  you 
promised  to  pay  us.  If  you  don't  give  us  the  money  I  will  be  glad,  and  all  our  people 
will  be  glad,  for  we  \\'ll  have  our  land  back  if  you  don't  give  us  the  money.  That  paper 
was  not  interpreted  or  explained  to  us.  We  are  told  it  gives  about  300  boxes  (§30(),000) 
of  our  mon^  lo  some  of  the  traders.  We  don't  think  we  owe  them  so  much.  We  want 
to   pay  all  our  debts.     We  want  our  Great  Father  to  send  three  good  men  here  to  tell   us 


. 


;..     i 


'■{       • 


S      i  I  ; 


I  i ' 


Ei!     ■ 


I:;  ' 


[j 


:| 


w 


J'i 


f-i 


m 


i« 


138 


PEKSOXAL  IJKCOLLECTIONS  OF 


how  iiiiu'li  we  do  owe.  and  wliatever  tliev  sav  we  will  iiav;  and  that's  what  all  these  braves 
say.      Our  chiefs  and  all  our  people  say  this. 

All   the    Indians   present   res|>onded, 'llo  I  ho!' 

"GovKKNoK  Ka.mskv  :  "That  can't  he  done.  Von  owe  more  than  your  money  will 
iiay,  and  I  am  ready  now  to  p.iy  v"ur  annuity,  and  no  more  ;  and  when  you  are  ready  to 
receive  it  the  a^ent  will  pay  you  ' 

"Ki:ii  IiiON  :  •  \Vt'  wii!  receive  our  annuity,  but  we  will  sinn  no  papers  for  anything 
else.  The  snow  is  on  tin-  ifround.  and  we  have  been  waitintr  a  lono-  time  to  tjet  our 
money.  We  are  poor;  you  have?  plent\.  Vour  fires  are  warm.  Your  tejiees  kee[)  out 
the  cold.  We  have  nothin<;  to  eat.  >N'e  have  been  waitinu-  a  loiiij^  time  for  our  moneys. 
Our  huntin<(  season  is  past.  A  tjcreat  many  of  our  people  are  sick  for  beiny  luuiifry.  We  may 
die  because  you  won't  pay  us.  We  may  die.  but  if  we  do  we  will  leave  our  bones  on  tne^'round, 
that  our  Great  Father  may  see  where  his  Dakota  children  died.  We  are  very  poor.  We  have 
sold  our  huntintr-urounds  and  the  orjivcs  of  our  fathers.  We  have  sold  our  own  i^raves. 
We  havo  no  place  to  bury  our  dead,  and  you  will  not  pay  us  the  money  for  our 
lands." 

"The  council  was  broken  up,  an  ^  lied  Iron  was  sent  to  the  guardhouse,  wiiere  he  was 
kept  till  the  next  day.  Jietween  thirty  and  forty  of  the  braves  of  lied  Iron's  band  were 
present  during  this  arraignment  before  the  governor.  When  he  was  led  away  they  de- 
parted in  sullen  silence,  headeil  by  Lean  Bear,  to  a  spot  a  cpiarter  of  a  mile  from  the  coun- 
cil-house, where  they  uttered  a  succession  of  yells;  the  gathering  signal  of  the  Dakotas. 
Ere  the  echoes  died  away  Jndians  were  hurrying  from  their  tepees  toward  them,  prepared 
for  battle.  They  proceeded  to  the  eminence  near  the  camp,  v.here  mouldered  the  bcmes  ol 
many  warriors.  It  was  the  memorable  battle-ground  where  their  ancestors  had  fought, 
in  a  conflict  like  Waterloo,  the  warlike  Sacs  and  Foxes,  thereby  preserving  their  lands 
and  nationality.  Upon  this  field  stood  two  hundred  resolute  warriors  ready  to  do  battle  for 
their  liereditary  chief.  Lean  Bear,  the  ])rincipal  brave  of  Red  Iron's  band,  was  a  large, 
resolute  man.  about  tiiirty-tive  yeai-s  of  age,  and  hud  great  influence  in  his  nation. 

"Here,  on  their  old  battle-ground,  Lean  Bear  recounted  the  brave  deeds  of  Ked  Iron, 
the  long  list  of  wrongs  inflicted  on  the  Indians  by  the  white  men,  and  proposed  to  the 
braves  that  they  should  make  a  general  attack  on  the  whites.  By  the  influence  of  some  of 
the  half-breeds,  and  of  white  men  who  were  known  to  be  friendly  to  them.  Lean  Bear  was 
indut'ed  to  ubandon  his  scheme,  and  finally  the  tribe,  being  starving,  consented  to  give  up 
their  lands  and  accept  the  sum  of  money  offered  to  them. 

"Over  !5r)r).0()()  of  this  treaty  money,  ])aid  for  del)ts  of  the  Indians,  went  to  one  Hugh 
Tyler,  a  stranger  in  the  country,  'for  getting  the  treatv  through  the  Senate,  and  for  neces- 
sary disbursements  in  securing  the  assent  of  the  chiefs." 

"Five  years  later  another  trader,  under  the  iirefeiice  that  he  was  n'ointr  to  tret  back  for 
them  some  of  this  stolen  imney,  obtained  their  signature  to  vouchers,  bv  means  of  which 
he  cheated  them  out  of  Si*Hi,(K)(>  more.  At  this  same  time  he  obtained  a  jiaymentof  $4,5UU 
f  )r  goods  he  said  they  had  stolen  from  him.  x\nother  man  was  allowed  a  claim  of  $5,000 
for  horses  he  said  they  had  stolen  from  him. 

"In  1858  the  chiefs  were  taken  to 'sVashington,  and  agreed  to  the  treaties  for  the  cession 
of  all  their  reservation  north  of  the  Minnesota  Kiver,  under  which,  as  ratifiecl  by  the  Senate, 
tliey  were  to  have  SU)<).0()0;  but  of  this  amount  they  never  received  one  penny  till  four 
years  afterward,  when  815.000  in  goods  \vere  sent  to  the  Lower  Sioux,  and  these  were  de- 
ducted out  of  what  was  due  them  under  former  treaties." 


T| 

hiqjht 
ofbitj 
T 
criint 
the  p| 
airy, 
niiled 

thosel 
Huntl 

sent 
there 
print* 
horr 


WH 


GENEKAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


189 


The  lied  Iron  mentioned  above  was  a  man  of  great  sagacity  and  of  the 
liif^hest  personal  character.  He  opposed  with  all  his  influence,  and  at  the  risk 
of  his  life,  the  oiithreiik  of  l.S()2.  hut  the  current  against  him  was  too  strong. 

The  Sand  (.'reek  massacre  is  perhaps  the  foulest  and  most  unjustitiahle 
crime  in  the  annah  of  America,  it  was  planned  by  and  executed  under 
the  personal  direction  of  -T.  M.  I'hivington.  Colonel  of  the  First  (Vdorado  Cav- 
alry, on  the  27tli  of  November,  1S()4,  at  a  point  in  Colorado  about  forty 
miles  from  Fort  Lyon.  The  details  of  the  mas.sacre  are  too  revolting  to  be 
enumerated  and  1  dismiss  the  nuitter  with  the  statement,  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  would  care  to  look  into  the  details,  that  three  letters  from  Helen 
Hunt  Jackson  appeared  in  the  New  York  Tril)une.  January  31.  February 
'J2,  and  February  28,  18S0,  reviewing  the  otiicial  testimony  and  pre- 
senting such   facts 

therefrom   as  could  be  .,.-."  '■;     .... 

printed.  But  for  that 
horrible  butchery  it 
is  a  fair  pre- 
sumption that 
all  the  subse- 
quent wars 
with  the  Chey- 
enne s  and 
A  r  a  p  a  h  o  e  s 
and  their  kin- 
dred tribes 
might  possi- 
bly have  been 
averted.  In 
the  official  re- 
port    of     the  Lkan  Bkar  K(>isix(t  Tin:  Indians. 

Indian  Peace  Couimissionof  ISfiS.  alluding  to  the  Sand  Creek  massacre,  or 

the  Chivington  massacre  as  it  is  more  generally  known,  the  statement  is 

deliberately  made  that:  "  It  scarcely  has  its  parallel  in  the  records  of  Indian 

barbarity.     Fleeing  women,  holding  up  their  hands  and  praying  for  mercy, 

were  shot  down  :  infants  were  killed  and  scalped  in  derision ;    men   were 

tortured  and  mutilated  in  a  manner  that  would  put  to  shame  the  savages 

of  interior  Africa.     No  one  will  be  astonished  that  a  war  ensued,  which 

cost  the  government  $30.(100.000,  and  carried  conllagration  and  death  into 

the  border  settlements.     During  the  spring  and  summer  of  18(5')  uo  less 
:m— 9 


:  1 


'^      'i 


t  M 


lJl-UJ..JJiUI!l"« 


Ji. 


'rl 


-.'■■A 


n 


J  'i 


I ,  i 


140 


PKUSOXAL  UliCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


than  S,000  troops  wore  witlitlravvii  from  the  effective  forces  engaged 
a{;ainst  the  liehel lion  to  meet  tliis  inilian  war."  A  line  of  military  posts 
from  the  I'lalte  Ki'er  northwest  to  the  Upper  Big  Horn  and  Yellowstone 
became  necessary,  and  this  in  its  turn  aggravateil  the  Indian  disaffection, 
since  it  pierced  their  hunting-grounds  and  disarranged  their  hunting  plans. 
The  following  letter  received  from  Major-! ieneral  Dodge,  in  reply  to  my 
inquiry,  gives  so  clear  an  exposition  of  the  situation  of  alTairs  at  the  timt 
referred  to  when  the  writer  was  in  comnumd  of  tiie  Department  of  Kansas 
and  the  Territories,  that  [  i)resent  it  entire. 

No.    1  JJwoAKw  AY.  Nkw  Vokk,  .July  lUtli.  181)'). 

GkN.   XkI.SON.    a.   .Mll.KS.   tioVKKNOli's    lsl,A.\l).   NkW    V(»KK. 

])kai;  Sii!  :  .My  n'l'oUt'i-tions  of  the  Iiulian  Campaign  of  ISJio-O,  without  having  the 
rci'ords  bi-tori'  iiu-.  arc  as  follows  : 

'I'lio  oHMU'ial  jilaii  was  to  move  four  eoluiniis  so  as  to  strike  all  the  Indians  at  once,  and 
to  follow  them  winter  and  summer  until  we  eaught  tliem  or  they  surrendered. 

1  had  had  a  good  deal  of  experienee  in  the  Indian  country  and  had  set  forth  my  views 
to  General  Grant,  and  in  an  answer  to  a  despatch  from  him  had  stated  that  I  coidd  make 
an  Indian  Campaign  in  the  winter;  and  in  the  winter  of  18(54-5,  1  made  a  short  Indian 
Cauipaign.  opening'  all  the  routes  tiiat  hail  been  closed  up  between  the  Missouri  Kiver, 
Denver,  New  Mexico.  Fort  Laramie,  etc..  and  this  brought  on  a  general  movement  in  18()r). 

Till'  colunni  that  moved  against  the  i>outhern  Cheyennes  and  Arapahoes  was  under 
the  connnand  oi  .Maj.-Gen.  .lohn  B.  Sanborn.  One  of  his  detachments  overtook  a  body 
of  Indians  somewhere  near  the  Arkansas.  They  were  under  Georire  Bent.  He  defeated 
them  and  brought  al)out  a  temporary  j)eace  with  those  tribes.  I  suppose  his  success  and 
his  views  in  this  matter  were  the  reasons  for  his  beinij"  ]>laced  upon  the  Peace  Conunission 
afterward.  The  interference  by  the  Southern  (\)nnnission  virtually  defeated  all  my  plans 
against  the  Comanches  and  Apaches  and  we  sutfered  for  it  later  on. 

In  this  battle  George  Bent  was  killed.  The  two  Bent  boys,  Charles  and  George,  I 
had  captured  in  the  South,  in  Northern  Arkansas.  I  knew  their  father,  Col.  Bent,  well, 
and  when  they  surrendered  to  me  ]  jiaroled  them  and  sent  them  to  their  home  in  Colorado. 
They  did  not  stav  there  loni>'  before  one  of  them  went  at  the  head  of  the  Southern  Chey- 
ennes, and  of  the  Indians  organized  on  the  Arkansas  and  South  ;  and  Charles  was  at  the 
liead  of  the  Northern  Chevennes.  Arapahoes  and  Sioux.  Both  of  these  bovs  had  been 
educated  in  some  Catholic  Institution  in  St.  Louis;  1  tiiink  it  was  called  "The  Brothers 
College.*' 

Column  No.  2  was  commanded  by  Colonel  Nelson  Colo.  He  moved  from  Omaha  up 
the  Loup  Fork  t-..  its  head  ,ind  crossed  to  the  Niobrara  River,  and  there  divided  his  colunni, 
one  division  passinif  up  the  South  Fork  of  the  Cheyenne  River  under  Lt.-Col.  Walker, 
with  500  ])ack  mules  and  .)o  train.  This  column  was  to  follow  the  divide  of  the  Black 
Hills  and  the  western  base,  while  Cole  himself  moved  up  the  eastern  base  with  his  com- 
mand, both  joining  at  the  Belle  Fourche  fork  of  the  Cheyenne  ;  after  which  thev  were  to 
proceed  and  join  me  at  Powder  River,  and  so  on.  Col.  Coles  columns  fought  several 
times  and  did  yood  work. 


the 

Chei 

of  tlj 

witll 

and! 

ing 

the 

forti 

man 

relit 

iiers 

thro 

mad 

of    t 

Mou 

road 


the 
prise 


1lll 


GKNEIJAI.  XEI.SOX  A.  MILKS. 


lU 


tl 


Column  Xo.  8  stiiiti'd  From  Sioux  C'itv  and  was  t<irin>ly  an   csi-ort   of  out'   rt>ifiniiMit   to 


It'  Suwvt^rK  -Military  lioad  >t'rvK't'.      1  Ins  ('011111111    movod  to  and   up   the  .Niobrara  to  tlu> 
Clu'veuno.  tluMi  up  tlii'  C'lu'VtMuio  to  tlio  vicinity  of   I'uiiipkin  Huttcs;   wliicli  is  almost  I'list 
of  tliL' old  Fort  KiMio  crossiiiLC  of    l'o\V(lt»r    IJivcr.  wlicri'    C'liarlt's    licnt, 
with   till'  Xortlicrn  ('lit'vcmu's  and  a  part  of  the  Sioiix.  i-orralli'd  tlu'iii  ; 
and  Sawver.  wlio  Iia<l   cliarnc  of   tlic  t'litiro  oiitlit.  i-oiniiii'iu'cd  parlt'y- 
iii<^  with  tht'iii.  and  lost  several  of  his  men. 

When  the  ollicer  in  eommaud.  who  I  think  was  Captain  Walford  of 
the  L'nited  ."^tates  'rroojis.  assumed  (•omniand.  eorralled  his  train  and 
fortified  his  position  and  i;ot  word  to  me.  1  immediately,  by  foreed 
marehes  of  iiiv  eavalrv.  undertook  to  eaptnre  Meiit.  at  the  same  time 
relievinir  Sawver  :  but  lieiit  yot  wind  of  the  movt'iiients  by  his  run- 
ners, and  out  awav  before  they  reai'hed  him.  1  then  sent  Sawver 
tliroutrh.  under  ehartfe  of  oiu'  of  m\  olHeers.  on  the  r  >ute  we  hail  i 
made  to  the  Yellowstone  Kiver.  namely:  betterman.  Keno  Crossiiiir 
of  the  Powder  Kiver.  tlienee  aeross  to  the  foot  of  the  Bi^  Horn 
Mountains  by  what  was  afterwards  Fort  MeKinstrv.  and  so  on  by  the  (iKNintAi,  (r.  yi.  Doixi 
road    now   well    known   and  traveled,  that  we  established   to   Montana. 

Column  No.  4  started  from  Salt  Lake,  under  Gen.  1'.  E.  Coiiin'r.  marehed  by  way  of 
the  South  I'ass  and  Wind  Kiver.  I'rossiiin-  the  spurs  of  the  Bio-  Horn  Mountains,  and  sur- 
prised and  captured  the  Xorthern  Cheyennes  and  Sioux  on  Toiii^ue  Kiver.  In  this  battle 
they  captureil  all  the  eamp  eipiipaire.  some  S(M)  ponies,  ete.  I  sent  to  C/onner,  before  the 
battle,  a  battalion  of  l'awiit>es  who  eiii^aifed  in  the  lii^iit.  They  killed  and  sealped  some 
sipiaws  ami  I'hildren  and  caused  considerable  unfriendly  comment. 

1  myself  moved  by  way  of  the  Smoky  Hill  fork  of  the  Kepublican  aeross  to  Jules- 
herij.  to  Fort  Laramie,  to  where  Fort  Fetterman  now  is.  and  tlienct>  across  to  the  Powder 
Kiver  and  Biif  II(!rn.  All  the  Indians  in  that  country  kept  ahead  of  me  until  nearly  all 
the  X^orthern  bands  were  concentrated  between  the  Powder  Kiver  and  the  Yellowstone. 
We  captureil  and  wijied  out  one  band  of  Sioux  who  had  been  down  on  the  Lanimio  Plains 
and  had  captured  a  portion  of  a  company  of  Michii^^an  volunteers  who  were  escortinir  a 
supply  train,  and  had  burnt  and  butchered  them.  I  ^ot  word  of  it.  and  knowintj  their 
trails,  sent  some  cavalry,  with  two  companies  of  Pawnees  under  Major  Xortli,  to  where 
they  crossed  Salt  Creek;  and  those  troops  took  this  band  in  as  they  came  north  to  join 
Bei'it. 

The  chief  of  the  Indian  party,  an  old  Sioux,  when  he  saw  he  was  cauirlit.  walked  out 
and  haran<^u"d  Major  Xortli.  of  the  Pawnees,  who  spoke  their  lanj^uai^e.  and  told  him  he 
was  ready  to  die  as  he  had  been  down  on  the  Plains,  and  was  full  up  to  here  of  white 
men.  piittiiii>'  his  hand  to  his  mouth.  These  troops  wiped  out  this  whole  band.  From 
them  they  captured  the  property  taken  from  the  Micliii;an  Company,  amonir  which  was 
one  blank  book  in  which  the  Indians  described  in  their  own  picture- laiiijuao'e  the  whole 
trip  and  what  they  had  done,  showiiiir  the  bnrninu-  of  tlu>  Michiifan  soldiers  tied  to  the  wheels 
of  the  wau'ons.     The  book  was  a  curiosity  and   1   sent  it  fiirward  to  the  War  Dejiurtment. 

After  the  battle  of  Tonirue  Kiver.  as  I  was  followiiiir  up  the  Sioux  and  t)tlier  bands 
who  were  over  in  front  of  Cole  and  who  were  not  in  the  flight  with  Connor.  1  received  or- 
ders from  Gen.  Pojie  and  Gen.  (Jraiit  to  return  immediately  to  Fort  Laramie,  to  send  out 
runners  to  the  Indians  and   brinjr  tlicm  in   there  and  conclude  a  peace  with  them.      I   pro- 


K. 


i    ■     !  I 


i.],<W-  i 


%  f' 


mtm 


tsmk.mmmjmm<s* 


<mm 


jjWWWWWBHifMW^^ffM'****'*'  'iW^jjtj^-'- 


142 


PKKSONAI,  J{Kl()l,I.KCTI()i\S  OK 


tested,  statinif  that  witliin  sixty  days  itiorc  I  would  In'  able  to  kill  or  caiituic  all  tin-  iu- 
diaiis  that  were  hostile,  as  they  were  nearly  ,vorii  out  ami  in  front  oF  iiie,  i  had  then 
followed  them  steadily  for  six  months  or  more,  and  they  were  heeominn-  ui.,nl  no  daih. 
Gnmt  answert'i!  that  he  understood,  hut  that  it  was  {'resident  Johnson's  order,  that  the 
j)olicv  ()}'  ine  (iovernmeni  had  ehano'i'd.  and  there  was  no  remedy  Imt  to  iiromiitS-  do  the 
l)est  that  I  could  to  oatln«r  the    hostiles  in  at  onee.      'I'his  order  I  promptly  eomplied  with; 


.^ 


^^''('•^^:i^||^^^^^J|PS^^^^^^i^|        but   my   leayinij   the  chase  so  abruTttly  and 

returning-  to  Laramie,  etc..  the  Indians  did 
not  undei'stand,  and  I  was  unal;lf  to  make  a 
peace  treaty  that  1  would  reconuneud. 

My  troops  in  passiiii^  oyer  and  around 
the  ]ilacl-  Hills,  north  of  tne  Xortli  Platte, 
panned  out  considerable  irold.  There  were  several  Califo-niaiis  and  other  miners  in  those 
rcirimeiits.  and  1  know  any  treaty  that  did  not  irive  us  the  country  south  of  the  Belle 
Fourche  fork  of  the  Cheyenne  would  not  be  of  any  use  t<i  (is.  as  t*ie  troops,  as  poon  as  1  dis- 
banded them,  wcnild  pour  over  into  that  portion  cf  tho  Black  Hills  re^-ardiess  of  itiv 
treaty. 


Fa  :•■•  OF  TUK  MicuioAX  Soi.niicKs. 


lie 
IMill 
\sol 
thai 

notl 
ise(l 


and 

poit 

nort 

the 

seei 

to 

the 

com 

tiiial 

and 


u. 


GKNKUAI,  NKI.SON   A.   MII-ES. 


143 


v-* 


I,  tliprt'fort'.  ondt'iivon'd  to  so  iiiakt'  tlu'  line  that  tlic  liidiims  sIkhiI'I  stay  north  of  tlie 
I5.'lli'  Koiirch."  fork  of  tin-  ('lit-y«Miii.>  Kiv.-r.  Hut  tlic  Indians  insist. 'd  upon  tli."  North 
IMattcas  tlie  liiu'.  They  iinally  proposi'd  to  ai-i't'|it  the  South  t  .rU  of  th.'  ("h.-y.-nui',  luit  I 
would  not  ai'ct'itt  tills,  so  1  <k'i-lar.'d  a  true.'  with  th.'Ui.  simply  aijrc»'in«r  lor  the  win*. T 
that  thfv  should  ifniain  north  of  the  I'latti'.  and  if  they  l)t>havt«d  tluunsidvcs  they  would 
not  1)0  liioh'sti'd  aud  if  they  did  not,  1  woidd  make  a  wint.-r  canipaiirii  a^niiii.  They  proin- 
isi'dto  comply  with  my  dtmiands.  and  I  ri'po'-tcd  th.-  fai-ts  an<l  my  r.-asons  to  my  superiors. 

Finally  tiit>  Shi'rinan-ilarm'y  IVaec  (.'ommission  was  formed,  who  made  the  treaty  that 
allowed  tiiem  to  eome  to  the  South  fork 

of    the  Cheyi'inie.      But  as  soon   as  my  ,>,.,i:=i.  - -.,  ,j3=*:"--^  —  •• 

soldiers    wen*   disl)an(led    they    earried 
home  the   news  of  theirdiscoy-  ...  v 

eries    in    (.lie    IJlaek    Hills,   and  ~^' 

espeeially  to  California,  and 
prospei't'  rs  from  that  eountry 
and  Irom  (.'olorado  and  other 
points  went  to  all  the  streams 
north  of  the  I'latte  and  yiolated 
the  treaty.  Our  (loyi-rument 
seeme(l  unable  to  induee  them 
to  eomply  \yith  the  terms  of 
the  treaty.  This  hrouo'ht  first 
comjilaints.  then  j)rotests.  »:,k\ 
finally  the  Sittino-  r,ull  war. 
and  we  who  were  buildino'  the 
U.  I'.  Railway  suffered  from 
their  depredations.  stealin<r, 
killinir,  etc.,  from  KS()(5  on. 

1    wrote    Gener:d  Sherman 
stronoly  both    before  and   after 
I  left  the  seryiee.  as  to  the   re- 
sult of  a  treaty  jriyiiiif  this  line 
\yhich   the    Indians    demanded, 
and  as  I  knew  the  eountry  bet- 
ter than  any  one  else,  and  the  determination  of  the 
Indians,    I    would   not  ai^ree   to  it.      (Jeiu^ral    Pope 
aisl  others  did  not  atifree  with  me.     They  belieyed 
ihv'V  '.'ould    eoncpier  tiie     Indian    by   kindness    and 

that  he  line  the  Indians  denianded  eonld  be  protet'ted  aoiiinst  white  people  erossinj^ 
it.  alth<>uo"li  I  had  opened  rio-ht  tlirouyh  that  territory  a  military  wai^on  road,  a  short 
and  exeelient  route  from  the  Missouri  to  all  jioints  in  Montana,  and  my  troops  were  loaded 
with  stories  of  mines  of  silyer.  o'old  and  eoal  existinof  all   oyer  that  eountry. 

In  one  snowstorm  on  the  r,)wder  Iviyer  we  lost  nearly  or  cpiite  one  thousand  head  of 
cayalry  horses  ^yhieh  had  been  \yeakened  by  lonir  marches  and  poor  fei'd.  We  also  aban- 
doned on  Powd(  r  Hiyer  about  one  hundred  empty  army  wao-ons.  remonutinir  the 
eayalry  on  mules  and  on  the  !S0()  ponies  Connor   had   captured:    thus   puttinir  the   cayalry 


s 


8nT.i)ii;i{s  Discnyioit  CJoi.n  in    rni-: 
Bi,.\i'K   lln.i.s. 


l:]:. 


vl?.. 


144 


I'KHSONAI,  I{K(  ()I.LK(^TM)N'S  OF 


I  j 


in  tlic  full  (if  ISn.")  ritrht  un  llic  '  fll(i\vst<im',  lincly  iiiouiitfil  and  rcullv  fresli;  unci  liftwcfii 
tho  Vt'llowstdiii'  ami  Missouri,  if  tlic  lialaiicc  of  the  liidiiuis  li.xl  i-rossod  tlu>  Vt'lloWMtoiie, 
wo  woidd  liavi-  cauiflit  tlic  last  hand  that  stiicU  totrctlit-r. 

After  tilt'  l)attli'  of 'roii^-iif  iJivcr  tlif  Arapaliocs  that  were  ••>{  caiitiiri'il.  scatlcr.'d  and 
iiiuth'  tht'ir  way  lionus  so  did  many  of  the  Sioux.  l)ut  the  ('hcvfiuu's  and  jiarl  of  the  Sioux 
stuck  to^rt'tluT  and  I'ann"  in  at  Fort  Laniniif. 

Ju  this  i-ani|iaiyn  I  sidcrti'd  tht>  liciicral  positions  for  the  followino'  rniiitary  posts,  not 
tln>  I'xai't  sites  :  Near  the  lii^  Horn  IJiver  at  the  foot  of  the  liiu-  Horn  Mountains,  after- 
wards called  McKinstry;  at  the  crossing-  of  the  Powder  IJiver;  the  location  at  Fort 
Sanders  on  tlit>  Laramie  Plains;  also  at  the  l'.  W  crossinir  of  the  North  I'hitte,  after- 
wards called  Fort  Steeli';  Fort  Doils^^e  on  the  Arkansas;  also  a  post  on  the  Smoky  Hill 
fork  of  tho  liepublican;  1  think  it  was  afterwards  called  Shoritlan.  ami  others.  J  sent 
troops  to  occupy  them  in  tlit^  spring  of  \S(\i\. 

I  write  you  thus  fully,  in  general,  so  as  to  enable  yon,  if  you  aro  followinifthose  matters 
up,  to  form  a  tlioroui,di  idea  of  the  campaiirn  and  the  tfeneral  details  as  I  understand  thein. 
Of  course  I  have  written  this  without  yointr  into  the  records  full\.  hut  vou  will  iind  that 
they  carry  out  those  views  ]>retty  <ronerally.  I  am,  very  trulv  yours. 

G.  M.  DoixiK. 

P.  S.  Oeneral  (Jrant  intended  to  send  me  rJ.O(K)  men.  hut  so  many  wore  mustered 
out  that  I  had  .ill  told  ahout  a.tHIt).  As  fust  as  tlioy  arrived  the  tfovernors  of  States  would 
get  orders  for  their  muster  out." 

The  result.s  of  the  recall  of  (Jeneriil  Dod^e  from  the  Powdev  River  were 
a  series  of  disasters  of  which  the  jjjreatest  was  the  Fetternian  massacre  of 
December  21.  ISOG.  near  Fort  Phil  Kearney,  in  which  eighty-two  officers 
and  soldiers  lost  their  lives,  none  of  the  command  being  left  alive  to  tell 
the  story. 

The  troops  having  been  recalled  and  scattered  in  posts,  the  Indians, 
some  of  tliem,  were  enticed  to  Laramie  to  make  a  treaty,  while  others 
continued  on  the  war  path,  cutting  oft'  detachments  and  emigrant  trains, 
just  as  if  peace  had  not  been  declared. 


GknkiI 


n\ 


CibJNEK'AL  NK1.S(JN   A.  .MILES. 


Uo 


CHAPTER  X. 

Some  IIistokic  Campaigns. 


Gk.VKHAT,  IlANCork-'S  EXI'KDITION— (rKNKKAI,    CaIIU'h    CaMI'AKIXH  — Cnl.oVKI,  FoRSYTIt's    Dr.SI'KUATK 

FiuiiT     iiN     Tin:    AiucKAmn-; —  Uumav  Nohi-:  —  Dakino    Dkkds    or    Stii.wim.i.    and 

Tkiukai  — C'rsrion  SruiKKH  Ui.xck  Kkttmo'm  Vii.i.Acii; —  I»i:atii  i>i'  .Ma.ihk 

Ki.i.ioiT  —  Tin;    I'i.ains  —  FniiT     Hays  —  III  nti  .(i  —  Kcput 

HaKKKK  —    FnllT     LkAVKXWOIJTII    —    Till;     MiiJuiC 

Wak —  J)i:atii  <>k  (Ikvkhai,  Camiv  — 
(fKNKUAi,  S^l:KMA^■'sTKlIl- 
l  Ti:  TO  C'aMIV. 


Indian    affairs  ^rcw   stoadily    worse 
expedition,    commanded    Uv  (ieneral 


sent  against  the  Indian.^- 


This  expedi- 
conntry  of  Kansas  and  the  northern 
itory.  without,  however,  being  able  to 
neral  engagement. 
The  campaign  of  (Joneral  C'arr  in  the  same  year,  1  SOS  1). 
res.  ted  in  his  liringing  his  command  into  contact  with  the 
hostile  IndiaJis  in  no  less  than  nine  different  atfairs.  His  most 
brilliant  achievement  was  a  forced  march  across  the  plains  against  a 
combination  of  hostiles  known  as  the  ''Dog  Soldiers,"  made  up  of  different 
tribes,  principally  Sioux  and  Cheyennes,  who  were  devastating  the  .settle- 
ments along  the  western  frontier.  He  surprised  their  Camp  at  Summit 
Springs,  Coloriido,  on  the  south  fork  of  the  Platte,  o-  Snnday,  July  12. 
iSOy,  killing  sixty-eight  warriors,  taking  seventee-  ,  .isoners.  and  recap- 
turing a  white  wonum,  Mrs.  Weigel,  whose  husband  luid  been  killed  a  few^ 
\N eeks  before  at  the  time  she  was  carried  into  capti\ity. 

During  this  year  occurred  one  of  the  most  renuirkable  affairs  with  In- 
dians in  American  history.  Its  scene  was  a  small  stream,  the  Arickaree.in 
northern  Kansas.  Brevet  Lieutenant-C!olonel  George  A.  F'orsyth  ^vas  in 
command  of  a  small  body  of  fifty  citizens  enlisted  as  scouts,  and  had 
camped  beside  the  stream,  which  contained  very  little  \vater,  on  Septemljer 
17.  There  was  a  small  island  in  the  middle  of  the  stream,  and  on  this 
Forsyth    took   position   when    he    was   attacked.     The  men  were  placed 


h/     i 


!;;  f,. 


W 


s^^mtHHggggff'.wmimmm 


146 


I'KUSONAI-   1{K('()I,I,K(TI()NS  OK 


k 


V  ;i.i' 


in  a  cintio  and  lyin^;  down,  and  each  instantly  Ix'^'un  dij/^'inj,'  a  rilh^- 
pit  f;  '  liiinsrlt".  Alunit  nine  (('rlock  a  cliaip'  wus  made  on  Mm*  littlr 
hand  by  aliont  three  hnndied  warriors.  They  were  repulsed,  and  re- 
trtuitod.  Konian  Nose,  the  leader  of  the  hostiles,  was  kill.'d  in  this 
char^'o,  and  th<»  plain  was  strewn  witl.  dead  Indians,  .\hout  two 
o'clociv  another  <'har^'e  was  made,  and  was  a^^ain  repnlsed.  \  leehler, 
and  tinal  oiu^  was  made  ahoiit  four  o'clock.  Then  it  hepin  to  rain.  Kvery 
horse  and  mule  was  killed  hy  tho  tMieniy's  Ure,  liieutenaiit  iieecher.  stM-ond 
in    command,     and     livo  men  were  kilhni  or  mor- 

tally vvoundei 
(dndiii^   (olo 
military  imsl 
and  his    men 
hy    ahout     ni 
Northern   ( 
(pieor   con<^do 
as  \)o\i  Soldi 
were   cut  int 
was    stren^'tl 
(l(>ad  animals 
meat   could 
eaten,    and 
in^  hecame 
But  on  this 
the  Indians 
disai)pear. 
ninth  day  of 
they     had 
The    fro  11- 
this    time 
w  e  a  k      t  o 

were  thus  found  when  succor  came.  Why  so  siiuill  a  body  of  civilians 
should  have  ])een  i)erniitted  to  go  into  a  country  known  to  be  occupied 
by  a  large  body  of  hostile  Indians,  instead  of  sending  out  a  large  body 
of  regular  troops  to  engage  them,  is  not  clear.  In  fact.  Colonel  Forsyth, 
in  his  very  interesting  and  graphic  account  of  that  engagement,  recently 
published,  in  summing  up  the  results  of  the  first  day's  fiercely-contested 
tight,  and  the  seri(uis  loss  to  his  command  in  oliicers  and  men,  and  also 
referring  to  the  terrible  wounds   from   which  he   was   himself  suiiering, 


('("T.dXKL    (iKolUiK    A.    FiHiSYTII. 


wounded,  in- 
'v,  the  neai'est 
way.  Korsyth 
id  surrounded 
i  n  c 1 u  ding 
)U\.  and  that 
s  then  known 
d  dead  horses 
le  lu'eastwork 
saddles  and 
Hfth  day  tla^ 
iKjlongerbe 
the  sulTer- 
intense, 
day  l)y  noon 
began  to 
and  by  the 
the  siege 
all  gone, 
tiersmen  by 
were  too 
move,     and 


sayi 
out 

is  11 
nia^ 

of  tl 

audi 


(iKXKK'AL   NKI.SON   A.  MII-KS. 


147 


Hiiy.s:  *'  ft  was  all  I  could  do  to  |>iill  myself  to^/rthcr  ami  s«'t  aitoiit  j^'cttiiig 
out  of  tlio  dan^'croiis  position  into  wliicli  I  had  led  my  command." 

This  oni<'ci'  has  now  hccn  live  years  on  the  retired  list  of  the  army,  and 
is  livinj;  in  VVashinj^'tou.  I  have  no  donht  that  his  disaltility  was  pri- 
nnirily  the  result  of  the  serions  wounds  he  received  in  this  (Mi;/a<,'ement. 

It  was  a  most  heroic;  and  desperate  defense',  showinj;:  the  cool  coui-a^e 
of  tlu^  frontieismen.  their  skill  and  accuracy  in  the  use  of  their  weapons, 
and  tlK'ir  steady  fortitude  when  face  to  fa<*e  with  an  enemy  in  overwludm- 
ing  numhers  —  more  than  twelve  to  one.  Nothing'  could  he  tiiu'r  than  the 
fortitud(M)f  the  comnumdin^'  oflicer.  Colomd  Korsyth.  who,  thou;^di  twice 
wouiuletl  and  with  a  hndxen  le^'.  continued  to  direct  and  c«unnuind  duriiij^ 
the  nine  days  that  the  sie},M»  lasted.  Anotlu'r  illustration  of  heroic  cour- 
ai^'e  was  that  of  tlu^  men  creei»in^'  out  of  the  entremdiimMits,  takinj?  the 
risk  of  beinjj;  captured  and  tortured,  yet  successfully  f^ettin;^'  throu^di  the 


lar^e  body  of  Indians  that  surrounded  the  little  command.  Tlu^  old 
frontiersmen  "  I'et "  Trudeau  and  "Jack"  Stilwell.  the  latter  not  much 
more  than  a  boy,  were  the  first  to  nuike  the  attempt,  and  their  su(;cess 
was  complete.  It  was  one  of  the  nH)st  notable  feats  in  the  records  of 
border  warfare. 

At  midnight  of  September  the  1 7th  they  left  (leneral  Forsyth's  com- 
nuind  in  company,  started  south,  and  after  crawling  through  the  lines 
immediately  surrounding  the  island,  with  their  blankets  on  and  wearinj.? 
moccasins  they  had  nuide  from  their  l)0()t  tops,  they  i)assed  out  over  a  bald 
hill,  thinkinj^  it  better  to  make  the  attempt  in  that  direction  than  to  try 
to  crawl  out  bv  some  of  the  ravines,  which  they  had  every  reason  to  1)6- 
lieve  were  full  of  Indians.  It  afterward  transpired  in  conversation  be- 
tween Stilwell  and  some  of  these  same  Indians.that  they  niad<»  a  lucky  stroke 
in  not  attemi)ting  to  make  their  escape  either  by  the  water-course  or 
the  ravines  adjacent.  They  were  headed  off  and  interrupted  so  often  by 
seeing  Indians  that  they  only  succeeded  that  night  in  nuiking  three  miles, 
which  brought  them  almost  to  the  top  of  the  divide  between  the  Ari(dvaree 
and  South  Republican.  They  crawled  into  a  washout,  or  head  of  a  hollow, 
the  banks  of  which  were  overgrown  with  tall  grass  and  sunflowers,  where 
they  were  satisfied  they  would  not  be  found  that  day,  as  they  had  been 
careful  to  leave  no  trail  behind  them.  They  could  hear  the  tiring  all  day 
long  and  at  night  they  knew  that  their  party  was  still  holding  out. 

As  soon  as  it  be'^-une  dark  they  started  south  again,  meeting  two  par- 
ties of  Indians  during  the  night,  which  delayed  them  considerably  ;  and 
just  at  daylight  on  the  second  morning  tliey  reached  the  South  Republican, 


I   I , 


';!? 


'wi'nw  HwnH^g  imtiiiai^i,.  jij^.wjijft  w 


14S 


PEKSONAL  HECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


fvi- 


to  find  that  they  had  gotten  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  Sioux  and 
Cheyenne  village,  something  they  did  n(»t  expect.  It  was  learned  after- 
ward that  the  trail  turned  south  about  one  mile  west  of  where  the  battle 


was  going  on. 


They  crawled  under  the  river  bank  and  got  l^etween  the  river  and  a  kind 
of  bayou,  in  the  tall  grass,  and  lay  there  the  renuiinder  of  that  day. 

The  Indians  crossed  very  near  them  during  the  day  ;  in  fact  they  lay 
not  over  thirty  feet  away  from  where  the  latter  stopped  and  watered  their 
horses  and  talked  for  some  time.  They  could  hear  the  Indians  mourning 
in  the  village  for  their  dead,  and  also  saw  them  taking  out  several  bodies 
for  sepulture  on  scaffolds. 

That  night  as  soon  as  it  was  dark  they  crossed  the  south  fork  of  the 
Kepublican  and  started  south  again.  The  morning  of  the  third  day  found 
them  on  the  high  rolling  prairie  between  the  head  of  Goose  Creek  and  the 
stream  they  had  just  left.  They  had  decided  now  to  travel  in  day  time  ; 
but  by  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  they  saw  the  advance  of  what  they 
afterward  learned  was  the  Dog  Soldiers,  separated  and  moving  south  from 
the  Sioux,  the  latter  going  north.  It  was  therefore  necessary  to  change 
their  i)lans  for  the  day. 

In  looking  for  a  place  to  hide  they  accidentally  discovered  some  yellow 
weeds  growing  up  around  a  Initt'alo  carcass.  They  crawled  to  the  carcass 
with  the  intention  of  l)reaking  the  weeds  off  to  cover  themselves  with,  so  as 
to  more  effectually  hide.  The  buffalo  had  evidently  been  killed  the  winter 
before,  as  the  frame  was  almost  intact,  with  a  small  piece  of  hide  still  ad- 
hering to  the  upper  ribs.  They  crawled  in  as  near  as  possil^le  to  this  dried 
carcass  and  lay  there.  One  of  the  mounted  Indian  scouts  approached  very 
near  during  the  morning,  scanning  the  country  in  all  directions  for  over 
half  an  hour,  and  not  over  one  hundred  yards  from  where  they  lay. 

It  was  then  that  the  "  rattlesnake  business."  so  widely  published,  took 
place.  There  was  a  snake  in  the  carcass,  and  he  crawled  around  and  made 
it  very  uncomfortable  for  his  new  neighbors.  Stilwell  finally  spit  tobacco 
juice  on  his  head  which  caused  him  to  vacate  the  premises. 

That  night  Trudeau  broke  down  completely,  and  seemed  for  a  while  to 
lose  his  mind;  but  after  they  had  reached  some  water  and  he  had  drunk 
freely  of  it,  and  after  he  had  vomited  two  or  three  times,  Stilwell  persuaded 
him  to  eat  a  piece  of  the  horse  meat  he  had  in  his  pocket.  This  revived 
him.  and  they  traveled  on. 

The  fourth  morning  l^eiiig  foggy  they  had  no  trouble  in  traveling  ))y 
day  time.     They  struck  the  Denver  wagon  road  ul)out  eleven  o'clock,  about 


k'   / 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


149 


twenty  miles  west  of  Fort  Wallace  and  mot  two  mounted  ronriers  ^oin^ 
to  Colonel  Carpenter's  command,  then  lying  at  Lake  Station,  some  sixty 
miles  from  where  (ieneral  Forsyth  was  l)esieged.  They  gave  the  couriers 
a  full  account  of  what  had  happened,  and  told  them  as  nearly  as  possible 
(Jeneral  Forsyth's  position.  Colonel  Carpenter,  as  soon  as  these  men  ar- 
rived, responded  promptly  and  marched  with  his  entire  force  to  (Jeneral 
Forsyth's  relief,  meeting  a  second  party  of  two  that  had  alsocome  through 
the  Indian  lines;  which  accounts  for  this  last  two  getting  hack  to  Forsyth 
before  Stilwell  and  Trudeau  did.  The  latter  reached  Fort  Wallace  just 
at  sundown  and  reported  to  Major  Bankhead.  who  was  in  command. 
Bankhead  had  l)ut  twelve  mounted  men  in  the  post.     He  took  the  in- 


r  I      '  •'  /  /   /    7 

TlIK    SCOITS    AM)    TlIK    IvATTI.KSXAKK. 

fantry  in  wagons,  together  with  two  small  cannon  — his  command  consisted 
of  about  180  men  —  and  with  Trudeau  and  Stilwell  started  I  tack  at  mid- 
night, traveling  night  and  day  with  the  exception  of  one  night,  when 
they  camped  on  what  was  called  Thick  Tim))er.  a  snuiU  stream  lunning 
into  the  Republican,  where  they  had  a  little  brush  with  the  Indians,  and  ar- 
rived at  the  island  the  next  day  after  Colonel  Carpenter  had  got  thei-e. 

Trudeau  never  recovered,  but  died  the  next  spi-ing.  He  lies  buried  at 
Fort  Sill.  Oklahoma  Territory. 

Judge  S.  E.  Stilwell  is  now  a  United  States  Commissioner  at  Anadarko, 
Oklahoma  Territory. 


I    I'D 


I  -■i.l.LX.llULl.lLA'li.'  J 


,!!. 


150 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


It  was  afterwards  admitted  by  the  Indians  themselves  that  not  less 
than  seventy-Hve  of  their  own  number  hiid  l)een  killed. 

After  this  affair  troops  were  sent  to  the  field  of  actit)n  from  other 
departments.  The  services  of  volunteers  from  Kansas  were  accepted, 
and  operations  ajjjainst  the  hostiles  were  pressed,  (reneral  Custer  was  sent 
south  with  eleven  companies,  and  struck  the  trail  of  a  band  of  Cheyennes 
under  Black  Kettle.  On  the  27th  of  November  he  came  upon  the  Cheyenne 
camp,  consisting  of  Hfty-one  lodges,  and  with  his  usual  impetuosity  charged 
upon  the  village.  The  weather  was  cold  and  snow  lay  deep  on  the  ground. 
Black  Kettle  and  a  number  of  his  warriors  were  killed,  all  the  arms  and 
ammunition  captured,  hfty-three  women  and  chiklren  were  taken  pris- 
oners and  the  village  was  destroyed. 

On  Christmas  day,  bSliS,  a  Comanche  village  was  l)urned,  and  (Jeneral 
Sheridan  regarded  his  winter  campaign  as  having  proved  a  success.  At 
midnight  on  the  last  day  of  the  year,  to  quote  his  own  words,  "a  delegation 
of  the  chief  fighting  men  of  the  Arapahoes  and  Cheyennes,  twenty-one  in 
all,  arrived  at  this  i)lace  on  foot,  their  animals  not  being  able  to  carry 
them.  They  had  ruled  the  village.  They  begged  for  peace,  and  permission 
for  their  people  to  come  in.  asking  no  terms,  but  for  a  paper  to  protect 
them  from  the  operations  of  our  troops  while  <')i  rcxfr.  They  report  the 
tril)es  in  moui'ning  for  their  losses,  their  people  starving,  their  dogs  all 
eaten  up,  and  no  buffalo." 

"  This."  he  reports,  "gives  the  final  blow  to  the  backbone  of  the  Indian 
rebellion;"  which,  however,  proved  to  be  only  a  teinporary  check.  The 
troops  were  at  no  time  able  to  close  with  the  main  body  of  the  Indians,  and 
while  Custer's  pursuit  and  attack  was  a  success  so  far  as  one  particular 
l)and  was  concerned,  yet  even  that  success  was  not  achieved  without  serious 
loss.  Major  Joel  H.  Elliott,  while  in  pursuit  of  a  portion  of  Black  Kettle's 
))and  which  had  escaped,  overtook  them  on  the  Washita,  where  they 
turned,  and  l)eing  reinforced  by  warriors  from  the  main  camp,  destroyed 
his  entire  command. 

Through  the  earnest  solicitation  and  coaxing  by  those  in  charge  of  the 
administration  of  Indian  affairs,  the  Indians  were  at  last  induced  to  come 
in  and  make  a  display  of  surrender  and  peaceful  dis})osition.  and  it  was 
again  otticially  announced  that  the  end  of  the  Indian  wars  had  been 
reached.  The  prophecy  was  made  that  no  more  would  occur  in  the  south- 
west, yet  as  these  same  troops  returned  north,  moving  back  toward  their 
various  stations  in  the  early  s[)ring  of  1S(U),  the  Indians  followed,  and  re- 
opened hostilities  by  depredations  upon  the  settlements  along  the  Saline, 


the 
affai 
The 
J! 
For 
tile 
way 
can 
whs 


reg 


Hi 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


151 


the  Solomon,  and  the  Repul)lican  Kivers.  in  Kansas,  and  a  condition  of 
att'airs  very  siniihir  to  war  was  inaugurated,  and  continued  for  live  years. 
The  Indians  practically  remained  masters  of  the  plains  country  up  to  1874. 

My  first  impression  of  the  plains  country  was  obtained  after  leaving 
Fort  Leavenworth,  in  the  Spring  of  1S()1),  as  we  passed  out  through  the  fer- 
tile valleys  of  Kansas  to  what  was  then  the  terminus  of  the  western  rail- 
way system,  Ellsworth.  There  we  took  a  construction  train,  which  was 
carrying  rails  and  material,  a  short  distance  further  to  the  westward  to 
what  was  then  known  as  Fort  Hays,  wh'^re  1  found  the  headquarters  of  my 
regiment,  the  Fifth  United  States  Infantry.  The  p.iins  were  then  a  wild, 
weird  waste  of  rolling  prairie  and  valley.  Along  the  lowlands  and  rver 
courses  were  occasionally  trees  and  tall  grass,  with  here  and  there  a  grove 
or  small  forest,  l)ut  generally  speaking,  the  face  of  the  upland  country  was 
covered  with  a  close  mat  or  carpet  of  buttalo  grass  not  more  than  one  or 
two  inches  in  height,  while  on  the  hillsides  sage  brush  and  bunch  grass 
were  found. 

General  Custer  had  a  ccmimand  near  Fort  Hays  at  that  time,  and 
w'hile  1  had  known  this  gallant  young  general  during  the  war,  I  liad  never 
had  opportunity  to  see  mnch  of  him  and  his  gentle  and  refined  wife,  who, 
wdienever  possil)le.  accompanied  him  in  camp  and  Held.  Mrs.  Miles  being 
with  me,  we  frequently  met  them  socially,  and  enjoyed  many  hunts  and 
pleasure  parties  together.  Little  did  we  think  at  that  time  that  the  one 
who  had  won  such  high  distinction  as  a  cavalry  leader  and  able  general  in 
the  great  civil  war.  should  within  lie  next  few  years  win  a  special  renown 
as  one  of  the  prominent  frontier  officers,  and  meet  so  tragic  a  death  — 

"In  a  biirren   land  and   lone 
Where  the   Big  Horn  and  the   Yellowstone' 

unite,  or  that  his  wife  in  becoming  the  faithful  historian  of  his  life 
and  stirring  deeds  would  herself  attain  marked  distinction  in  the  held  of 
literature,  as  well  as  popularity  on  the  rostrum. 

My  first  experience  upon  the  plains  was  romantic  and  filled  with  novel 
and  exciting  incidents.  Here  we  found  abundance  of  game,  including 
buffalo,  deer  and  antelope,  and  here,  with  Custer  and  a  party  of  officers 
and  soldiers,  I  enjoyed  my  first  buffalo  chase.  I  came  to  look  on  my 
horses  and  dogs  as  friends  and  companions.  The  former  were  used  in  the 
chase  and  the  latter  in  the  pursuit  of  small  game.  Here  I  watched  the 
tremendous  strides  that  were  making  in  the  construction  of  railroads  and 
the  extension  of  channels  of  communication  and  commerce,  and  the  steady 


f1' 


.1  ;    ' 


hi 


M'  1 1 


152 


PEIJSONAL  IJKCOr.LKCTIONS  OF 


westward  march  of  settloinents  as  the  lonj,'  trains  of  cars  came  laden  with 
immijjfnnts.  not  only  from  the  Kast.  hut  from  all  parts  of  Kuroite.  and 
estahlished  hamlet  after  hamlet,  and  village  after  village,  farther  and  still 
farther  toward  the  western  luu'izon. 

Later  I  took  station  at  Fort  llarker,  which  was  found  more  agreeable 
and  more  within  the  confines  of  civilization,  and  still  later  at  Fort  Ijcaven- 
Avortli.  one  of  the  most  delightful  of  posts,  of  which  1  have  iilready  given 
some  account. 

After  the  estahiishment  of  the  Council  of  Indian  Delegates  at  Ocmulgee, 
Indian  Territory,  in  December,  1S70.  an  elTort  was  made  on  the  part  of  the 

)vernment  to  place  all  the  Indians  in  the  United 
ites  on  sei)arate  tracts  of  land  or  reservations,  there 
to  be  guarded  against  all  molestation  from  the  whites. 
That  the  Indians  might  take  kindly  to  this  plan  it 
was  projiosed  that  the  reservations  should  l)e  largo 
enough  to  provide  ample  room  for  their  reasonable 
neeils.  say  six  hundred  acres  to  each,  it  was  not  ex- 
pected that  all  the  tribes  would  readily  assent  to  the 
proposition,  as  it  contemplated  their  removal 
from  familiar  haunts  to  remote  parts  of  the 
country,  and  in  fact  the  opi)osition  to  such  ef- 
forts at  removal  brought  about  many  difficulties 
with  them.  The  "'  Modoc  War  "  was  a  case  in 
point.  'J'his  tribe  numbered  only  a  few  hun- 
dred, and  were  removinl  by  the  government 
from  their  tine  lands  near  tlie  boundary  lin*^ 
between  Oregon  and  California  to  a  reserv  tion 
where  the  soil  was  so  poor  that  they  would 
not  accept  it,  and  went  back  in  wrath  to  their  okl  homes,  in  defiance  of 
the   United  States  authorities. 

Finding  that  a  determined  attempt  was  al)out  to  be  made  to  bring  them 
into  subjection,  a  fe\v  of  the  Modocs,  undo-  tlie  leadtn-shii)  of  Captain  Jack 
and  Scarfaced  Charley,  Avithdrew  to  tiie  lava  beds  to  make  the  best  resist- 
ance in  their  power.  1  lere  they  were  surrounded,  but  they  held  out  stoutly, 
and  it  seemed  imi>ossible  to  dislodge  them,  in  their  inaccessible  fastnesses 
they  could  defy  a  hundred  times  their  number,  and  it  was  plain  that  many 
lives  would  have  to  be  sacrificed  before  they  were  whipi)ed  into  submission. 
April  11.  bS73,  four  members  of  the  Peace  Commission,  headed  by  ]\la- 
jor-(ieneral  Edward  K.  S.  Canby.  met  the  leaders  of  the  disaffected  V)and 


Caitain  .Tack. 


11 


i  u 


(JKNKKAL  NELSON   .a.   .NIM.KS. 


i:)3 


under  a  flji<;  of  trure.  While  the  conferenre  \v:is  in  pro<jji'ess  the  Indians 
suddenly,  upon  a,  preroncerted  yij.aial.  assailed  the  white  nuni.  killing 
(ieneral  Canby  and  Dr.  Thomas  on  the  spot  and  l)adly  wounding'  Dr. 
Meacluun. 

From  this  time  the  war  was  pushed  with  vi<jfor.  and  in  July  following 
they  were  forced  to  surrender.     Captain  Jack  and  two   associates   were 


In  Tin;  Lava    Bkds. 


tried,  convicted  and  handed 
for  the  murder  of  the  commis- 
sioners, and  the  remainder 
were  removed  to  a  reservation 
where  they  adopted  peaceful 
pursuits,  and  ever  since  have 
remained  pe:-iceful. 

(Ieneral  Canby  was  one  of 

the  ablest  otlicers  that  ever  held  a  commission   untler  our  <r()vernnient. 

The    (ieneral   Commanding,'  the   Army    paid  him   a   deserved   tribute   in 

Ceneral  orders,  as  follows: — 

IlKAixiiAin  Ki:s  OF  TiiK  Akmv,  ) 

Wa>iiin<;t<)N.  A|>ril  14.  1S73.  \ 
(wi  iH  rill  Oi'ihr)^,  Xo  li. 

It  a<raiii  becomes  the  sad  duty  of  the   <jfeneral  to  announce    to   tlic  army   tlie  deatli  of 
one  of  our  most  illustrious  and  most  honored  conu-ades. 


i  Pi  » ; 


''■h:»n 


!  I 


}'A 


I'EiiSONAL  UECOJ.LECTlOxN'S  OF 


!;.! 


Brijradicr-Gt'iiera!.  Edward  it.  S.  Caiihy,  comuiandiiii^  tlic  Department  of  the  Columbia, 
was,  on  Friday  last.  April  1  1,  shot  dead  by  the  chief  ••.lack."  while  he  was  endeavorinj;  to 
mediate  for  the  removal  of  the  Modocs  from  their  present  rocky  fastnes  i  on  the  nortiiern 
border  of  California  to  a  reservation  where  the  tribe  could  bo  maintained  and  protected 
by  the  jtroper  civil  ai^ents  of  the  ^nivernment. 

That  such  a  life  should  have  been  sacriliced  in  such  a  cause  will  ever  be  a  source  of 
re^'ret  to  his  relations  and  friends;  yet  the  f^eneral  trusts  that  all  f^ood  soldiers  will  be 
consoled  in  knowini^  that  (ieneral  Canln'  lost  his  life  ••on  duty"  and  in  the  execution  of 
his  office,  for  he  had  been  s|)t>cially  chosen  and  appointed  for  this  delicate  and  daiiirerous 
trust  bv  reason  of  his  well-known  patience  ami  forbearance,  his  entire  self-abnej^ation.  and 
fidelity  to  the  expressed  wishes  of  his  jLCovernment,  and  his  larj^e  experience  in  J^ndinir 
with  the  savaire  Indians  of  America. 

He  had  already  completed  the  necessary  military  preparations  to  enforce  obedience 
to  the  conclusion  of  the  Peace  Conunissioneis,  after  which  he  seems  to  have  accompanied 
them  to  a  last  conference  with  the  savai^e  chiefs  in  supposed  friendly  council,  and  there 
met  his  death  by  treachery,  outside  of  his  military  lines,  but  within  view  of  the  signal 
station.  At  the  same  time  one  (<f  the  Peace  Connnissioners  v/us  killed  outright,  and 
another  mortally  wounded,  and  tiie  third  escaped  unhurt. 

Thus  ])erished  one  of  tlie  kindest  and  Ix'st  tientlenuMi  of  this  or  any  country, 
whose  social  ecpudled  his  military  virtues.  To  even  sketch  his  army  history  wt)uld  pass 
the  limits  of  a  tjeneral  order,  and  it  must  here  sullice  to  state  that  General  Canby  beji>'an 
his  military  career  as  a  cadet  at  West  Point  in  the  summer  of  1835,  ^raduatinfr  in  1881), 
since  which  time  he  has  continually  served  thirty-eiii'lit  years.  ])assiniy  through  all  the 
gradi     to  maior-ii't'iieral  of   volunteers  and  brigadier-i^eneral  of  the  reiij'ular  army. 

lie  served  his  early  life  with  nuirked  distinction  in  the  Florida  and  Mexican  Wars, 
and  the  t)utbreak  of  the  (^ivil  War  found  him  on  iluty  in  New  Mexico,  where,  after  the 
defection  of  his  seniors,  he  remained  in  conmiand  and  defended  the  country  successfully 
ai^ainst  a  formidable  inroad  from  the  direction  oi  Texas.  Afterward  transferred  east  to 
a  more  active  and  imjtortant  sphere,  he  exercised  various  iiiirli  commands,  and,  at  the  close 
of  the  (yivil  War  was  in  command  of  tlse  Military  Division  (>f  the  West  Mississippi,  in  which 
he  had  received  a  painful  wound,  but  had  the  honor  to  capture  Mobile,  and  compel  the 
surrender  of  the  rebel  forces  in  the  Southwest. 

Since  the  dose  t)f  tiie  Civil  Vwir  he  has  repeatedly  been  chosen  for  special  command  by 
reason  of  his  superior  Unowledife  of  law  and  civil  government,  his  knowti  fidelity  to  the 
wishes  of  the  Executive,  and  his  chivalrous  devotion  to  his  profession,  in  all  which  his 
success  was  jierfect. 

When  fatii^ued  by  a  loni:;"  and  laborious  career,  in  KSIJU.  he  voluntarily  consented  to 
take  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Columbia,  where  he  expected  to  enjoy  the  repose 
he  so  much  coveted.  This  Modoc  difficulty  arisinsf  last  winter,  and  it  beini^  extremely 
desirous  to  end  it  by  peaceful  means,  it  seemed  almost  providential  that  it  should  have 
occurred  in  the  sphere  of  General  Canby's  connuand. 

He  responded  to  the  call  of  his  government  with  alacrity,  and  has  labored  with  a  pa- 
tience that  deserved  better  success  —  but  alas!  the  end  is  different  from  that  which  he  and 
his  best  friends  had  hoj)ed  for  and  he  now  lies  a  corpse  in  the  wild  mountains  of  Califor- 
nia, while  the  lightning  Hashes  his  recjuiem  to  the  furthermost  corners  of  the  civilized 
world. 


na| 
th^ 


\vl 


^-^..-^ 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


155 


Thouirh  dead,  the  record  of  his  fume  is  resph'ndent  with  noble  deeds  well  done,  and  no 
name  on  our  Army  Kejjister  stands  fairer  or  hiifher  for  the  personal  (|ualities  that  command 
the  universal  respect,  honor,  affection  and  love  of  his  countrymen. 

General  Canby  leaves  to  his  country  a  heart-broken  widow,  but  no  children. 
Every  honor  consistent  with  law  and  usa^e  shull  be  paid  to  his  remains,  full  notice  of 
which  will  be  given  ns  soon  as  his  family  can  be  consulted  and  arran<^ements  concluded. 

By  command  of  General  Sherman, 
William  \).  Wiiipple,  Assistant  Adjutant-General. 


>*i,t< 


M— 10 


';•' 


M^^W?9»;«'> 


II 


I' 


HFii 


i-\] 


,■! 


156 


PEliSONAL  KECULI.ECTIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Campak;;:s  in  'I  exas. 


Cai'sks     of     Indian     I)i;i'Kioi)A'riii\s — (Ions'I'imci'idn    ok     ■     k  Ti;  > ' 

—  DiosTurcTioN    oi'    I'lii':    Be     \i,o —  Disastiih    ik   p'ik      ■  >i  > 

Anoiti;  \\'ai,i,s  —  Oitdwi    i\(i  an   K\im:i>itii>.\  \  ,v  Koia  vt,  \i^^ 

IJNi'oiri'iNAi'K    ('(iNDcrioN  or  \Vi:sri;i(N    Kansas   —  •  ••■     ;!■ 


()■  TINKXTAI,       IxAlhWA     S 

.\M,   Y  —  Attack  on 

TIIK    iloSTII.KM  — 

LocrsTs — 


Maiu'm  Undici!  a    liiuNiNd  Sin  Into  tiiic  CIointky  i-    iiii-:  II         '  i:s 

—  DioscHii'TioN     or     I'm:     (^ointky  —  (Jyi'sim     Bki.t  — 

On    I'm:  Inoivn  TiiAii.  —  Tin-:  Indians  at  H\y  — 

An     lv\('iriN(i     ION(iA(ii;MK:<i  —  A     Hot 

I'l  usi  rr —  Ai'osi'KoiMiK    ro    tiim 

ivi:i)  K'i\i:i;  —  A  N'ohtiii:i! 

VND    A    I)i:M-(ii:. 

rHIX(«  the  prof^ross  (»t*  tlip  evpiits  I  liave  doscriluHl.  there  was  no 
h)iiL?  pei'iotl  (hiring  wiiich  tlie  Iroiiiier  settlenifMits  were  eiitii'ely 
set'ure  from  the  devastutioiis  of  ii.araiuliii^  hands  of  Indians. 
Vet,  after  a  h)ng  season  of  inin^ded  peace  and  war,  the  nuiin 
camps  had  heen  ^fathered  in  and  ^iven  reservations  in  the  Indian 
and  other  Teri-itories.  These  hodies  of  Indians  nund)ered  many 
thousands,  and  wliile  tiiey  were  apparently  at  i)eace  they  were 
constantly  sendinj^^  out  hands,  large  and  small,  which  were  committing 
dei)redations  upon  the  settlers  of  Texas.  Kansas  Colorado.  New  Mexico, 
Nehraska,  Montjsna,  and  Dakota.  Among  the  causes  of  a  want  of  security 
was  the  fact  that  these  wild  savages  were  placed  in  large  numl)?rs  on 
reservations  remote  from  civilization  and  under  no  control,  restraint,  or 
intluenco  stronger  than  that  exercised  hy  a  single  agent,  appointed  usually 
on  account  of  some  political  consideration.  They  saw  only  the  worst  fea- 
tures of  civilization,  heing  suhjected  in  very  slight  degree,  if  at  all,  to 
the  enlightening  influences  which  exist  among  civilized  people. 

Accustomed  as  they  were  from  childhood  to  the  wild  excitement  of  the 
chase,  or  of  conflict  with  some  other  hostile  tribe,  taught  that  to  kill  was 
noble  and  lo  labor  degrading,  these  Indians  could  not  suddenly  change 
their  natures  and  become  peaceable  agriculturists.  Without  occupation, 
they  led  a  listless,  indolent  life,  the  very  foundation  of  vice  and  crime. 


T 

t« 

til 

(111 

lu 

m 

oij 

na| 

tr( 

sui| 

ot 

Wfl 

w;i 

ov 

gr* 

wo 

spi 

wa 

ter 


GENKK'AI,  NKr.S(»\  A.  MILKS. 


")? 


Tlirougli  direct  iiiid  iiulirect  means  tli(>  wow  permitted  and  enrourajjed 
to  provide  themselves  witii  the  most  modeiii  and  imi)roved  weapons,  and 
the  use  ■  '"  these  vveai)(>ns  intiaiied  tlieir  savage  natures  and  gave  tliem  un- 
due con    lence  in  tlieir  own  strength. 

One  (>f  the  strohjrest  causes  of  unrei  among  them,  and  one  that  will 
have  tlu  same  influence  npon  any  })eoi»le,  was  the  fsicf  that  the  promises 
made  t!,  m  to  indiu'o  them  to  go  on  reservations  were  not  always  carried 
out  by  the  goNcrniien^  iUithoriticw.  They  had  heen  removed  fi'om  their 
natural  s()urc<»  of  supply,  the  direct  range  of  the  hutTalo,  hut  under  di.stinct 
treaty  stipuhition  that  they  were  to  he  provided  with  shelter,  clothing  and 
sustenance  suiticient  in  cpiantity  and  ([uality  to  satisfy  their  wants.  Part 
of  these  treaty  stii)ulati(>i'  were  not  fultilled.  They  werc^  som«'t^imes  for 
weeks  without  their  hre..'1-rations.  Their  annual  allowan.  ;  o'  food 
was  usually  exhausted  in  six  or  seven  months.  Thus  the>  ''vei  ither 
overfed  or  half-starved  :  a  condition  which  very  luiturally  ten  >e.  to  <'ieate 
great  dissjitisfaction  among  them  and  arouse  their  turhulen.  .{ 'n  s.  They 
would  usually  renuiin  peaceahle  during  the  winter,  but  an  outbiL'ak  in  the 
spring  or  summer  was  the  usual  result.  Another  cause  for  •  'ss^'iisfacti(m 
w'as  the  ra}tid  consti'uction  of  railways  west,  or  southwest  through  their 
territory,  and  the  steady  advance  of  the  settlement  toward  the  setting  sun. 

The  construction  of  the  railways,  and  the  building  of  towns  and  villages 
ahmg  the  valleys  that  they  had  occupied  for  generations,  resulted  in  the 
destruction  of  their  places  of  sepulture,  or  the  receptacles  their  customs 
l)rovided  for  the  repose  of  their  dead,  which  were  regarded  by  them  as 
most  sacred.  One  instance  of  this  kind  occurred  near  Wallace.  Kansas, 
where  a  wood-contractor  had  set  a  large  body  of  men  to  work  cutting 
wood  in  the  beautiful  grove  among  the  branches  of  which  the  Indians  had 
for  numy  years  been  accustomed  to  deposit  the  remains  of  their  dead. 
This  they  did  by  jdacing  the  corpse,  attired  in  the  richest  garments  they 
owned,  bedecked  with  all  the  most  beautiful  ornaments  and  parai)hernalia 
of  which  they  were  possessed,  and  wrapped  in  shrouds,  blankets  or  i-obes, 
upon  a  platform  built  among  the  branches  of  the  trees.  This  forest  held 
the  remains  of  hundreds  of  the  departed,  who  according  to  the  Indian  be- 
lief had  gone  to  the  spirit  land.  Annually,  or  whenever  the  camp  moved 
into  that  vicinity,  the  relatives  of  the  departed  were  accustomed  to  come 
and.  making  offerings  to  their  spirits,  depositing  some  article  valuable  to 
them  at  the  b.tse  of  the  tree  or  scaffold  in  token  of  remembrance  and  af- 
fection, to  chiMit  their  requiems  and  make  their  accustomed  demonstra- 
tions of  mouniing,  frequently  cutting  their  fiesh  as  a  mark  of  deep  grief 


i    ?■ 


4V. 


t'ii 


158 


PKUSONAI.   UKCOiJ.KCTlONS  OF 


wa?*' 


and  dovotion  for  tlio  IovjmI  ones  who  had  passod  boyond  this  life.  When 
it  was  seen  l)y  the  Indians  that  the  woo(hnen  were  ahont  to  cnt  down  the 
trees  of  this  jjjrove,  they  sent  a  depntation  to  the  cojitractor  to  beg  him  to 

spare  thoir  eenietiu-y.  as  it  was  to  them 

a  sacred  spot.    IJnt  thv'w  i>ray(U'S  were 

ruthlessly     disregarded.        So 

intensely   did  this    ontrage 

move  the  tribe,  that  they  set 

ont  to  obtain  levenge  by 

the  mnrderof  every  white 

inhabitant    they     could 

Hnd  in  that  vicinity. 

Another  cause  of  dis- 
satisfaction, of  which  I 
have  already  spoken, 
was  the  d(»st  ruction  of 
the  vast  herds  of  bulfa- 
loes,  their  main  depend- 
ence for  subsistence  in 
their  wild  state.  The 
buffalo  furnished  t  b  e  m 
food,  raiment  and  shelter. 
It  gave  them  about  all  that 
p^  they  desired.  Hut  the  enteri>ris- 
ing  frontiersman  had  found  in  the 
buffalo  a  source  of  revenue,  and  move 
than  a  thousantl  men  were  engaged  in  their 
destruction  simply  for  the  hides  which  were 
shipped  in  immense  quantities  to  the  East  to  be 
used  in  the  manufactnre  of  belting,  harness- 
leather,  and  for  other  i)Ui'i)oses.  Colonel  Hichard 
Irving  Dodge  in  his  book  on  ''  The  Plains  of  the 
West,"  published  in  1S77.  has  gone  into  this  sub- 
ject with  great  care,  and  his  figures  are  undoubt- 
edly entitled  to  the  utmost  credit.  From  him 
we, learn  that  754,32U  hides,  exclusive  of  robes, 
were  shipped  east  in  the  year  1873  alone,  over 
the  Atchison,  Topeka  and  Santa  Fe,  the  Kansas  Pacific  and  the 
Union  Pacific  railways,   and  that  during  the  three  years  1872,  1873,  and 


...   ^^^ 


IxniAX    ^loDi:    (IK    BlKIAT, 


bi 

\\\ 

tl 


CiKNKUAL  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


159 


<t  * 


What  Hi:(.v\mi:  or  Tin-:   lirKiwicKS. 


1S74,  there  wore  killed  4.i{7J1.7i{()  ImtTaloes.  lint  in  this  estimate, 
eiiorinoiis  as  it  is,  no  account  was  taken  of  the  ininienso  number  of 
hulTaioes  killed  by  hunters  who  came  into  the  ran^e  from  the 
white  frontier  and  took  their  hides  out  by  wagons;  oi'  tlie  immense 
numbers  killed  every  year  by 
the  hunters  from  New  Mexico. 
I'ohuado.  Texas  and  Imlian 
Territory  ;  of  the  numbers 
killed  by  the  Utt^s,  Hanuocks, 
and  other  nu)untain  tribes  who 
uuulo  every  year  their  fall  hunt 
on  the  plains.  Nor  did  he  in- 
clude the  numbers  sent  fnun 
the  Indian  <M)untry  by  other 
roads  tban  thos"  named  to  St. 
Louis,  Memphis  and  el.s{»vvhere,  \  ^'''V 
or  the  inunense  numbers  going 
as  robe.s  to  California.  Mon- 
tana. Idalio,  and  the  great 
West,  nor  of  the  still  greater  numbers  taken  each  year  from  the  Territory 
by  the  Hudson  May  Company.  All  these  would,  says  Colonel  Dodge, 
add  another  million  to  the  already  almost  incredible  list  of  slaughtered 
buffaloes. 

This  wholesale  destruction  of  their  main  dependence  exasperated  the 
Indians  to  an  intense  degree,  and  the  tribes  of  the  Kiowas,  Conumches, 
Cheyennes,  and  Arapahoes  held  a  great  council  at  Medicine  Lodge.  Indian 
Territory,  to  take  united  and  vigorous  action  in  regard  thereto.  There 
their  grievances  and  woes  were  i)r()claimed  anil  possildy  exaggerated,  but 
the  result  was  a  general  determination  to  make  war  upon  the  whites. 
This  purpose  they  proceeded  immediately  to  carry  into  execution.  Most  of 
the  Cheyennes  and  Arapahoes  left  their  reservations  at  once;  the  Conum- 
ches and  Kiowas  followed  later.  Moving  from  the  central  part  of  Indian 
Territory  out  westerly  into  the  buffalo  range.  th(\v  sent  out  subsidiary  ex- 
peditions to  prey  upon  the  white  settlements  in  various  directions,  pi'in- 
ci])ally  in  \vestern  Kansas  and  New  Mexico.  One  of  the  tragic  incidents 
of  these  marauding  expeditions  was  the  catastro])he  to  the  Cermaine  fam- 
ily. This  family  consisted  of  the  parents,  one  son  who  was  a  grown  man, 
and  five  daughters.  Formerly  they  had  lived  in  the  State  of  (leorgia,  later 
in  western  Missouri,  and  were  now  moving  thence  to  Colorado.     They  were 


I     ,;? 


'^'^'^'iij 


m 


I  i: 


lOU 


I'KlfSONAI,  U'KCOI.I.KC  TIONS  OF 


i'l,i 


t'liirly  well  «'(|iii|i|»(M|  with  \Viii_''»iis.  ii  tVw  liorscs  iiiid  ^oiiic  other  stock. 
Tlicy  liixl  piisscd  tliioii;;li  astlicy  lio|inl.  Ilir  dii iiui'ioiis  (lisfi'irt  iiiid  cx- 
pt'ctcd  to  iirTi\(' ill  ii  |>lii('(' ol'  siilcly  the  ik'xI  dii.\,  wlirii  siiddrnl.N  ii  liiiiid 
id'  Wiii'i'iors  ii|>|M'iii'i>d,  killing;  t  lir  iiiiiii  iind  his  wile,  iiIm)  t  he  son  w  ho  wiis  ii 
shoi't  distiiiicr  iiuiiy  just  itI  iiniiii;;:  Ironi  a  hunt  for  ^^'anii'.  iind  takinir  thr 
ji'irls  captiM's.  At'tiM'  ti"i\idiii;^'  a  >hort  distaiirr  they  drridiMl  for  >oini' 
reason  not  to  krr|i  thr  iddest  daii;_ditri'.  a  Wdiiian  ::ro\vii.  and  killrd  hrf  in 
t  hr  |ifi'sriici'  ol'  hri'  lour  sisters.  The>e  were  aifed  respectively  lil'teen, 
I  hirleeii.  nine,  and  se\en.  We  shall  ha\e  occasion  later  to  rel'ei' to  t  hese 
md'ortiinate  captives,  as  tlieii'  histor,\  is  interwoven  with  some  of  the  sfir- 
rinj.'  events  of  the  cainpai;^ii  that  followed. 

One  of  the  lirst  attacks  in  force  was  ii|ioii  those  vvhoiii  they  hated 
most  the  liiilTalo  hunters.  A  la  r;,'e  camp  of  these  hiinters  located  at  what 
was  known  as  .\ili/l»e  Walls,  a  tradiiij^'  post  on  the  ('aiiailian  lliver  in  the 
I'an  Handle  of  Texas,  and  this  the  Indians  attempted  to  capture  hy  sur- 
prise It  was  tlieii-  intention  to  annihilate  the  whole  hand  of  JiiintiM's  at 
the  lirst  dash.  In  the  lattei-  part  of  .June,  two  hundred  warriors  made  a 
descent  upon  t  he  camp,  hut  unl'ortimately  foi- them  the  day  hap|iened  to 
he  Sunday,  when  the  liiilTalo  hiiidej's  wi're  all  ^'athei'ed  in  for  a  day  of  rest 
and  recreation  and  were  thei'id'oi-e  together  in  full  stren^'th.  The  Indians 
made  the  atta(d\  siiddenlv  and  in  the  most  determined  manner.  The 
hunters  heiii^^  most  expei-t  in  the  use  of  the  ritle  and  accustomed  to  accu- 
rate shooting',  and.  Ii«,ddin<i'  fi-om  hehinil  the  thick  pi-otectiii<i;  walls  of  tlu^ 
huihlin;^'.  were  cool  and  careful  in  their  aim  and  played  sad  havoc  with  the 
ciiai'<ziu;4  Indians.  Nearly  thii-ty  of  these  were  killed  oiitrifj^ht  and  sixty  or 
seventy  others  w(>i*e  wounded.  It  was  a  sei-ioiis  Mow  to  the  Indians. 
They  had  shown  remarkahle  coura^^e.  friMpiently  pushiu},'  ri^dit  up  to  tlie 
stoidvade  and  li^htin^f  almost  hand  to  hand  trying'  to  break  down  the  doors. 
The  lij.,dit  was  kept  up  for  sevei'al  hours,  and  then  for  three  days  they 
maintained  a  sie<;e.  It  was  an  old-fashioned  li^dit  of  frontiersmen  against 
rude  warriors,  in  w  liicli  the  latter  were  no  match  for  the  skilU'd  I'itleinen. 

The  Indian's  niai'ksniansliip  is  very  accurate  within  the  ranj^e  to  which 
he  is  accustomed  in  killin*;  ^'ame  -say  within  two  humh-ed  yards;  but  in 
the  use  of  the  lon^'-ran^^e  rifle,  where  he  must  take  account  of  the  (devated 
sights,  the  distance  and  tlu*  elTect  of  the  wind  upon  the  Hij^dit  of  the  bullet, 
he  is  inex])erienceil  and  in  no  way  a  niatidi  for  his  moi'<'  intellij^'ent 
enemy.  Troo})s  arrived  there  some  days  aftei-  the  sie^^e  had  been 
raised,  and  the  scene  which  met  their  j^aze  told  a  story  of  the  deprav- 
ity of  these  men,   pliysicaily  brave  and  {generous  where  Indians  are  not 


■L': 


i 


/. 

I 
d 

UJ 

I- 

D 
O 
IT 

111 

< 


z 
< 

a 

z 


■«<  I 


:{'» 


y 


m 


•i 

4 

j 

i 

f 


wmm 


V        i 


\%\ 


nm 


III 


GKXKIfAr.  XKLSOX   A.   .MILP:S. 


163 


coMcernod,  wiiirli  iioods  no  ('(HiiiiKMit  from  mo.  Aft(M- statiii^jr  tiio  nuiiilxn- 
ot  tlic  (lead  hiiiMctl  by  tli(>  Indians,  the  account  as  ti-ansniitt(Hl  to  the  iast(M-n 
\)jpss,  gravely  adds.  '•Twelve  ino!-<'  were  l<4*t  where  tlu\v  fell,  and  the  heads 
of  these  twelve  men  were  found  adorning  the  gateposts  of  the  hunters' 

corral." 

At  this  time  I  was  ord(n-ed  to  organize  an  expedition  and  movc^  down 
from  the  north  against  these  Indians.  At  th(>  sain(^  tim<'  thi-ee  other  col- 
umns were  ordered  to  move  into  the  southwest  from  as  many  dilTerent 
dii-ections.  One  under  Colonel  IJ 
moved  west  from  Fort  Sill,  ind 
ritory ;  one  under  Colonel 
j\la('kenzie  moved  north  from 
Fort  Concho, Texas;  andone 
under  j\Iajor  Price,  with  a 
battalion  of  the  Eighth  Cav- 
alry, moved  east  from  New 
M exico.  These  c o  1  u  m  n  s 
were  all  moving  toward  the 
the  same  locality  and  for  the 
same  general  purpose,  but  | 
without  any  definite  concert  , 
of  action. 

]\ly  own  command  was  to   j 
be  organized  at  Fort  Dodge, 
Kansas.     Fart  of  the  forces 
which  were  to  compose   it  ^ 
were  taken  by  me  from  F(n't  -- 
Leavenworth.     On  the  way 
to   Fort   Dodge    we   passed 
throngh  that  State  at  a  time 


Al'TKK    'I'lM'.    SiMIti:. 

when  it  was  suffering  from  one  of  the  most  terrible  disasters  that  had 
befallen  it  in  all  its  history.  Not  only  was  its  frontier  infested  with  hostile 
Indians,  but  the  season  was  talso  one  of  intense  heat,  the  whole  western 
portion  ])eing  i>arched.  blistered -ind  burnt  up  in  a  universal  drouth.  Added 
to  these  visitations,  the  country  had  become  the  scene  of  such  a  scourge  as 
has  seldom  been  seen  anywhere  ;  such  a  one  as  1  have  never  seen  since  and 
hope  never  to  see  again.  The  previous  year  the  lu^avens  had  been  dark- 
ened by  a  cloud  of  locusts  coming  from  the  mountain  regions  of  the  West. 
These  pests  had  deposited  their  eggs  in  the  plains  of  Kansas,  and  now 


^■• 


JfK^i 


!;■  'M 


JM 


li 


;;ir 


m 


/t 


i 


]()4 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


when  these  e^'gs  were  hatched  the  whole  face  of  the  country  was  covered 
with  a  mass  of  creeping'  yoiui^  locusts  that  destroyed  all  the  vejjfetation 
that  had  escaped  the  heat  and  the  drouth.  The  ^reen  cornfields  were 
strii)ped  of  every  leaf,  and  the  few  stalks  remaining  were  made  to  appear 
as  if  a  fire  had  s\vei)t  over  them.  The  grass  and  leaves,  the  flowers  and 
shrubs,  were  all  consumed  by  these  myriads  of  destroying  insects.  Not  a 
vestige  of  vegetation  was  to  be  seen  in  the  line  of  their  pestiferous  march. 
My  command  when  fully  organized  at  Fort  Dodge  consisted  of  eight 
troops   of  cavalry   in  two  battalions,  under    Majors  C.   K,  C'ompton  and 

James  liiddle.  four  com- 
panies of  infantry  under 
Captain  H.  B.  Bristol, 
a  detachment  of  artil- 
lery under  Lieutenant 
James  W.  I'ope,  and  a 
body  of  trailers,  guides 
and  scouts  under  Lieu- 
tenant  Frank  I),  Bald- 
win. This  force  was 
composed  of  friendly 
Delaware  Indians  and 
a  body  of  twenty-five 
frontiersmen  nuide  up 
of  expert  riflemen,  pio- 
neers and  plainsmen; 
men  of  known  courage  and  intelligence,  and  possessing  the  best  attainable 
knowledge  of  that  remote  and  unsettled  country. 

On  the  14th  of  August  my  command  moved  south  from  the  Atchison, 
Topeka  and  Santa  Fe  Hailroad  at  Fort  Dodge  in  thi-ee  columns,  my  ol).iect 
being  to  cover  as  wide  an  area  of  country  as  possible  in  order  to  fon-e  a 
concentration  of  the  Indians  on  my  front,  and  also  to  prevent  if  possible 
any  of  their  number  being  left  behind  us.  During  the  flrst  Ave  day's 
march,  the  heat,  even  for  the  month  of  Augu.t.  beiiig  unusually  intense, 
great  suffering  was  experienced  on  the  part  of  both  the  troops  and  the 
animals.  So  intense,  indeed,  was  this  heat  that  of  the  large  number  of  favor- 
ite dogs  that  had  accomjianied  the  train  when  we  moved  from  Fort  Dodge, 
only  two  remained  with  the  connnand  w  hen  we  reached  Camp  Supply, 
about  a  hundred  miles  south.  At  that  point  the  command  renewed  its 
supplies  and  then  commenced  its  movement  to  the  South  Canadian  Kiverand 


I.OITSI'    St'OIIU'.B. 


lU] 

as 

I'll 
kij 

re 

col 

rit 

ic(| 

thi 

ettj 

art 


1^1 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


105 


into  the  country  of  the  Indians,  in  the  western  portion  of  which  they  were 
lis  usual  seeking  refuge.  The  command  in  moving  south  from  Camp  ISup- 
ply  had  one  of  the  best  plainsmen  for  a  guide,  Ben  I'lark,  that  1  have  ever 
known.  His  knowledge  of  the  country  was  renuirkable.  Intelligent  and 
reliable,  his  services  were  of  great  value.  This  country, 
comprised  within  the  western  portion  of  the  Indian  Ter- 
ritory, western  Texas,  and  eastern  and  southern  New  Mex- 
ico, has  features  common  to  all  the  elevated  regions  of 
the  interior,  especially  in  respect  to  those  that  are  the 
effect  of  clinuite,  and  these  constitute  nearly  all  that 
are  of  interest  from  a  military  point  of  view. 

Being  subject  to  long  periods  of  excessive  heat 
and  drouth,  when  its  surface  becomes  impernu'- 
able  to  water,  and  then  to  sudden  and  most  vio- 
lent storms,  every  considerable  declivity  is  seamed 
and  gashed  by  the  Hoods  which  the  hardened  soil 
cannot  receive  into  itself,  and  whicii  rush  to  the 
nearest  outlet.  That  i)ortion  which  has  main- 
tained one  general  level,  or  has  but  slight  eleva- 
tions, forms  what  is  known  as  the  Staked  Plains, 
or  "El  Llano  Estacado"  of  the  Spaniards.  East< 
of  this  vast  plain  lies  a  l)elt  of  country,  princi- 
pally between  iH)  "M)'  and  101",  which  by  its  geological  fornuition 
and  surface,  and  the  elevation  of  Mounts  l^u'hester,  Eyman,  Lewis, 
the  Antelope  Hills,  and  many  buttes  and  mounds  farther  south,  shows  the 
great  washing  away  of  the  Staked  Plains,  whicli  has  evidently  consumed 
ages  of  time.  This  regi(m  is  broken  into  rolling  prairie  by  a  series  of 
water-courses  heading  in  the  Staked  IMains  and  t' wing  an  easterly  direc- 
tion, their  breaks  and  ravines  forming  a  rough  and,  in  places,  impassable 
surface.  The  Canadian  Biver  passes  through  the  Llano  Estacado.  its 
almost  innumerable  ti'ibutaries  afl'oi'ding  most  pleasant  and  well-sheltered 
valleys,  with  abundant  timber,  excellent  water  and  grazini;.  The  Bed 
Biver,  on  the  contrary,  api)ears  to  have  cut  its  course  tliroi.gh  the  dead 
level  plains,  making  deep  and  precijutous  canons,  and  it  has  only  four 
tributaries  of  any  importance.  'IMie  soil  of  the  high  i)laius  is  in  places 
rich  and  well  covered  with  good  grazing,  while  at  others  it  is  very 
light  or  sandy,  and  almost  destitute  of  grass,  Water  is  found  only  in 
lagunas  or  ponds,  and  then  only  at  favoral)le  seasons  of  the  year.  In  the 
section  of  country  to  the  east,  timber,   rich  soil  and  abundant  grass  are 


Hv.S   Cl,AKK. 


'       ,' 


!    ■. 


;i  ( 


I 


•  Lis  I 


111; 


1()0 


I'EHSONAI,  liEC^OLLKCTIONS  OF 


fi'    i 


lilHi 


Ml  ''i 


found  aloviji:  the  vvator-coiirsos.  ^^•llil(>  on  the  liijjrh  divides  fair  ^raz- 
uVff  is  fonnd.  ))nt  no  timber.  The  al)ove  section,  so  favorable  for  i)as- 
tnrai^c.  is  bounded  and  limited  by  a  broad  belt  of  yyi'snm  country 
extending;  northeast  and  southwest  and  lyin^j^  west  of  the  Wichita 
mountains,  and  a  deei)  stratum  of  the  same  mineral  ai)parent]y  underlies 
tlie  east(U'n  portion  of  the  Staked  I'lains.  Near  this  stratum  vegetation  is 
(►f  very  little  or  no  value,  and  the  water  where  it  descends  from  the  hij^h- 
lands,  thout,di  (excellent  at  its  source,  liecomes  so  thorou>ihly  imitregnated 
with  minei'ai  substances  as  to  nuik(>  it  in  [daces  utterly  useless.  At  other 
places,  although  agn^'nible  to  the  taste,  it  produces  weakness  and  sic'  ness 
in  both  men  and  aninuils. 

The  nomadic  Indians,  when  not  hostile  and  not  disturbed,  naturally 
occupied  the  country  which  lies  west  of  the  bitter  waters  of  this  gypsum 
region  and  east  of  tiie  timberless.  dry  and  uni>i'otected  iilains,  and  watered 
i)y  the  tributaries  of  the  Canadian  and  l\ed  liivers.  These  aflorded  them 
many  advantages  for  their  famili(>s  and  herds,  and  were  their  best  hunting 
grounds.  When  pursued  they  placed  almost  insurmountable  natural  ob- 
stacles behind  them  in  their  retreat,  passing  over  the  rugged  bluffs  and 
through  the  deep  and  preci})itous  canons  l)y  cii'cuitous  trails,  impassable 
for  wagons  and  ditlicult  for  a  mounted  foi'ce  to  follow,  and  sought  refuge 
on  the  extensive  i)lains,  where  an  ap})r()aching  force  could  be  seen  for  a 
long  distance. 

In  pushing  south,  the  scouts  under  l.ieutenant  Baldwin,  supported 
by  a  troop  of  cavalry,  w^re  thrown  well  to  the  west  and  moved  toward 
Adobe  Walls,  where  it  arrived  just  in  time  to  repel  a  second  attack  on  that 
place  by  a  considerable  band  of  Indians.  1'liese  Indians  ret?'eated  south 
before  him.  burning  what  there  was  of  the  prairie  grass  behind  them.  A 
few  days  later,  as  IJaldwin  continued  his  mar(di  down  the  Canadian,  he 
surprised  a  small  party  of  Indians  near  the  mouth  of  Chicken  Creek  and 
put  them  to  rout.  Soon'thereafter  he  rejoined  the  main  command  on  its 
march  south  from  Camp  Supply,  ritt  Wolf  and  Commission  Creeks,  at  a  point 
twelve  miles  west  of  Antelope  Hills,  the  junction  being  effected  Au- 
gust 24. 

The  chase  now  began  in  earnest,  the  trail  of  the  Indians  running  south- 
west. Camp  was  bi-oken  daily  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  command 
with  its  train  marching  abou^  twenty-tive  miles  each  day,  and  exi)eri- 
encing  hardshii)s  and  privatiiu.-.  vrhic'i  il  is  seldom  the  misfortune  of  man 
to  be  called  ui)on  to  endui'e.  In  maDN  i:'ace^  no  water  was  to  be  discovered 
in  the  beds  of  the  streams,  and  onJv  '^t  lorg  intervals  vvere  there  found 


sta 

ruj 

slai 

dnl 

11(1 

th-.j 

WMI 

sh([ 
orti 
it  J 
tail 
cat 
the 
lin 
ere 
anc 


*ttli.' 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


ir.7 


fpll 


stafriiiint  holos  containing'  somo.  ofton  imi)ro<j:nato(l  with  ^ypsnni.  ^lon 
rushed  in  t'ronzy  and  dnuilc.  only  to  lind  tlioii- thirst  increased  rather  than 
slaUed.  Kven  coiTee  made  with  it  was  fonnd  so  hitter  tliat  it  coukl  not  \)0 
draid\.  The  heat  was  ahnost  unen(hiral)le.  the  tlierinonieter  ranging  ahove 
110  degi'ees  in  tiie  shade,  (hiily.  We  were  marching  throns'h  uliai  v.as  at 
that  season  a  d(\sert  waste. 

On  the  27t]i  tlie  main  Indian  trail  was  strnck  at  the  Sweetwater,  and 
was  followed.  On  the  28th  it  hecanie  plain  that  the  enemy  were  only  a 
short  distance  ahead  of  ns.  Onr  main  train  was  this  day  left  behind  in 
order  to  exjiedite  the  i»nrsnit.  and  two  companies  of  troops  w(M'e  left  with 
it  as  a  gnai'd.  Only  livi^  ammnnition  wagons  and  two  am))nlances  were  i>'- 
tained  with  the  column.  The  trail  grew  fresher  and  fresiier.  and  iudi- 
cated  the  presence  of  large  l)odies  of  Indians.  The  troops  were  elated  at 
the  prospect  of  meeting  the  foe;  new  life  was  infnsed  into  their  weary 
limbs;  and  dnring  the  ensning  two  days  tlu\v  marched  sixty-Hve  miles,  in- 
credible as  such  an  accomplishme-nt  may  seem  in  snch  a  conntry;  inhmtry 
and  cavalry  marching  together. 

On  the  morning  of  the  iJOtli  the  column  was  in  motion  at  four  o'clock, 
the  scouts  as  usual  about  two  miles  in  advance.  At  an  early  hour  it 
emerged  from  the  broken  country  and  struidv  a  level  plain  bordered  on  the 
south  side  l)y  the  steep  blulTs  whi(di  skirt  the  Staked  Plains  or  "Ijlano  Ks- 
tacado."  The  trail  led  to  an  opening  through  the  bluffs,  and  at  eight 
o'clock  Lieutenant  Baldwin's  detachment  of  scouts  entered  the  hills,  wIkmi 
almost  instantly  a  band  of  al)out  two  hundred  and  fifty  Indians  cliarg(Ml 
upon  them  from  the  ])luffs  on  both  sides. 

The  hght  opened  at  once.  With  that  cool,  deliberate  judgment 
and  courage  which  had  distinguished  him  during  the  war.  and  which 
characterized  him  on  all  subsequent  occasions  of  critica'  nportt'nce 
and  danger,  Baldwin  handled  his  men  with  consummatf  kill,  v.liile 
the  whole  Indian  force  sprang  from  their  places  of  coi  alment  lin- 
ing the  bluffs.  Baldwin's  frontiersmen  quickly  took  pos  '  'on,  dropped 
on  the  ground,  and  used  their  effective  rifles  to  the  !>•  -  advantage. 
His  friendly  Delawares  went  quickly  into  action  I't  their  vet- 
eran chief,  old  Fall  Leaf,  over  whose  head  the  storms  of  more  than 
seventy  winters  had  l)lown.  his  gray  hair  streaming  in  the  wind,  expo.sed 
himself  conspicuously  as  he  rode  up  and  down  his  line  encouraging  and 
leading  his  men.  The  little  force  held  its  ground  until  reinforced  by  the 
rapid  advance  of  the  cavalry,  which  deployed  at  a  gallop  as  they  moved 
forward. 


>i  ."'I 

iiii 

tM 


i 


ffl 


5q 


1().S 


PERSONAL  KECOIJ.ECTIONS  OF 


Hill 

141 


Compton's  and  Biddle's  battalions  were  quickly  thrown  in  line,  the 
former  on  the  ripfht,  the  latter  on  the  left,  and  it  was  a  ftne  sight  to  wit- 
ress  the  rapidity  and  enthusiasm  with  which  officers  and  men  flew  to  their 
designated  places  in  the  line.  The  Gatling  guns  under  Lieutenant  Pope 
were  l)r()ught  into  action  with  the  same  spec  1  and  enthusiasm  that  charac- 
terized the  other  arms  of  the  service,  and  an  nJvar.ce  of  the  whole  line 
was  immediately  ordered.  Captain  T,  C.  Tupper  was  as  conspicuous  as  he 
always  is  when  the  fight  is  on,  and  Captain  A.  R.  Chaffee  made  one  of  his 
bright,  telling  ])attlefield  speeches;  he  gave  the  command  to  his  men, 
"ForAvard  !"  and  added,  "If  any  man  is  killed  I  will  make  him  a  corporal." 
Major  Compton  rode  in  front  of  his  command,  waving  his  hat,  and  led  the 
charge  to  the  hills,  and  as  the  sudden  onset  from  all  parts  of  the  line 
created  dismay  and  panic  in  the  lines  of  the  Indians,  they  retreated  pre- 
cipitously, and  were  followed  for  twenty  miles  over  the  roughest  ground 
that  I  had  until  that  time  ever  seen  men  tight  ui)on.  Over  the  rugged  hills 
and  buttes,  and  the  jagged  ravines  and  covers,  and  across  the  dry  l)ed  of 
the  Red  River  which  was  n»)W  covered  with  white,  drifting  sand  where  at 
times  a  great  river  flows,  tli'>n  up  the  right  bank  into  the  canon  of  the 
Tule,  a  brauch  of  the  Red  niver,  through  the  burning  camps  full  of  aban- 
doned utensils,  went  the  flying  Indians.  The  retreat  and  pursuit  were  kept 
up  with  the  utmost  energy,  descending  into  deep  canons  and  scaling  l)lutfs 
almost  impassable,  some  portion  of  the  Indir, us  now  and  then  attempting 
to  stem  the  tide  at  some  favorable  point,  upon  which  the  troops  would  in- 
stantly charge  and  carry  their  stronghold,  until  at  last  the  Indians  were 
so  closely  pressed  that  they  could  not  even  make  a  show  of  re-forming,  but 
sped  away  demoralized  and  in  full  flight. 

The  shhx'p  engagement  and  the  long  and  rapid  pursuit  during  the  in- 
tolerable heat  of  sun  and  earth,  and  the  absence  of  water,  caused  intense 
suffering  among  men  and  beasts.  In  fact  they  were  almcst  famished  for 
want  of  water.  On  rcuching  the  bed  of  the  Red  River,  which  at  that 
point  was  nearly  half  a  nile  wide,  there  was  only  found  a  small  pool  of 
saturated  gypsum  and  alkali,  the  stagnant  water  bein^  rendered  utterly 
unfit  for  use.  During  the  chase  the  men  tried  every  means  <  i  finding 
water,  but  without  avail,  and  suffered  so  greatly  thai  soine  ol  them  re 
sorted  to  the  extreme  of  opening  the  veins  of  their  arms  and  moistening 
their  parched  and  s\  ollen  lips  with  their  own  blood.  This  expedient  to 
relieve  extreme  suffering  has  occurred  on  two  dilferent  occasions  in  my 
commands ;  at  this  time  on  the  Red  River  of  Texas,  and  again  on  the  arid 
plains  of  Arizona. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MIF.ES. 


109 


A  gallant  young  officer,  who  had  been  a  colonel  of  volunteers  during  the 
great  war,  Adjutant-General  of  the  expedition,  G.  W.  Baird,  Lieutenant  of 
the  Fifth  Infantry,  was  moved  by  the  sufl'erings  of  himself  and  comrades 
to  wreak  a  fearful  vengeance  on  the  chief  source  of  disai)pointment,  by 
issuing  a  few  days  later  the  following  apostrophic  and  paralyzing  effusion, 
addressed  to  the  Red  River: 

To  Rki>  U'.  <;.:k,  Texas,  Car.  UrZ'  Wkst,  Aidisr  30.  1874. 

L 

O!   Namo  that  art  a   lio. 

Thou  tiU'st  of  purliiifT  spring's, 

Whore  suii-browiit-d   fanners  dip 
The  (Irauifht.   or  surface   kiss 

With   thirstiiiiT.  thankful   lip. 

Thou   t<'//\st  of  bahhliuiT   brooks, 

Where  artless  ehildrtMi   play, 
Alon<f  whose   verdant    banks 

The  hajipv   lovers  stray. 
Of   leafy-shaded    pools 

Where,  at  the  close  of  d'd\  . 
The   hoine-returniiiir  kine 

Their  lazy  footsteps  stay. 

Thoa  fill'tit  of  rolliiijH"  streams 

U|)on  whose  bosoms  wide 
The   wealth   of  cities   floats 

And   nations"   navies   ride. 
Between   whose   ample  shores 

Rolls  in  the   moon-dawn   tide — 
And  thou   '(rt     what? 
A  name  tiiat  is  a  lie. 

TT. 

L^ust-stained,   wearied   and   parched, 

Thirsi  it.ijr,   ready   Tki     lie. 
W*'  ask    f'or  oru»   cooling  drop, 

Wl  ieh  •'ulleidy   thou   d<.st   <U'ny, 
Wiilt',   BUTy  from   thy  burning  sands, 

Ash   frtjun   venomed  serpent's  eye, 
C<<rae  sparkles  of  parched   brine 

Which   hope  of  aid  deny  — 
Art  Hni'i-  the   <jood  God   made  thep, 

Not  they  who  his  power  defy? 


:*r,::    i 


m "! 


•L 


,'(.^i 


170 


rEKSONAI.   IJKCOLLKCTK  )N8  OF 


III. 


If  ill    tliosc   Stvyiim    rcaliiis 


\N'liii'li   i'dod   iiifii   slum   and   l)a(l    iiii'ii   fi-ar 


\V! 


it'i't'   i^riff   l'iin''cr  o'er-' 


,hr\ 


IMS. 


.And   inotluM's   look   on   cliildrcirs   nucs   witlioiit   a   tear. 


W 


icrc 


Dcat 


-sea   (iroiis 


lils 


(■    tliiiic   akiiic   ai'r    totiiK 


Witliiii   C'rcalioirs    hound 

IF  tliiTc   oiii'   dtM'piT.   u'liastlicr  pit    then'   hi- 
\N'lu'rt«.   littiiii;"  I'oiiii'adcs.   ceasi'lcss   writhe   tlic    vilest   vile; 
'I'liose   wild   lia\e   slain   tlieir   haiies   niihorn  ; 
Wiiose   tlittiiii;'  ii'lidsts.   in   terror,  otiier  murderers  sliuii  — 

'I'liose   wlio.   In    lo\('"s   pure    lUMiie.  lia\t'   \vroui;lit   another's  shaiiit 
('rime   more  douhlv   damned    than    poisoniny   euchai'istie   wine 
Those   who.    for  jialtr\'   e-ain.   ha\e  <ioul)ly  armed  our  cruel  foe    - 
If   I'owers    Infernal    littiii<f   prison   find 
For   monsters   such    as   these 
Thv   name   al)o\e    its   lripl\ -harred   door 
Forever  burns    in    lialefiil.  sulphurous  lire 
( )   name   tiiat   art   a    lie! 


AVritten  in  tli' 


-1.  1S74. 


ci.  w.  n.wiw. 


The  IiulicUis  heiiiu'  drivei.  ut  upon  the  lil.nio  Kstaeatlo  it  was  iiiii)os- 
sihle  to  follow  t'ui'thci'.  as  our  trains  were  far  in  tl;e  rear  of  our  coniinaml. 
and  the  trail  leading  up  the  [jrecipitous  cliiTs  told  the  fi'uitlessness  of 
lonjjer  pursuit  in  the  then  condition  of  the  tj{)o[)s.  It  was.  therefore, 
deemed  best  to  eall  a  halt.  After  a  nit;!i*^'s  resr  the  eoininand.  with  infi- 
nite labor,  followed  the  trail  and  (diinbed  ait  of  the  valley  of  the  Tule  and 
for  miles  out  upon  the  Llano  Kstacado.  it  became  e\  ident.  howexer.  tliat 
no  pursuit  could  be  successful  without  sup[)lies.  and  that  l)efore  a  train 
could  be  broui^ht  between  the  ravines  and  breaks  of  the  valley  to  the 
table-land  on  the  ri^dit  bank  of  the  h'ed  Kiver.  the  Indians  could  get  be- 
yond pursuit.  Our  trains  bein<2:  far  in  the  rear,  as  stated,  the  command 
would  have  soon  been  out  of  sn]»i)lies.  Enough  had  be<'n  accomplished  to 
d(Mnonstrate  that  we  were  strong  enough  to  suc<'essfully  encounter  any 
body  of  Indians  then  in  the  held,  but  their  subjugation,  it  was  evident, 
would  require  time.  While  they  undoubtedly  rejoiced  in  tlieir  escape 
and  were  gratilied  at  their  ability  to  move  with  greater  rapidity  than 
the  troops,  at  the  same  time  they  had  received  their  first  lesson  in  our  te- 
nacity of  pui-pose  and  ability  to  remain  with  them  in  their  most  favored 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


171 


haunts  and  secure  retreats.  It  would  Ix'  usele.ss  to  return  leavin*;  tlie  In- 
dians the  possessors  of  this  MMnotccounti-v  which  would  leave  them,  with 
their  families  and  theii'  hej'ds.  in  a  safe  shelter  from  which  they  coidd  send 
raidinj^f  l)iirties  in  all  directions.  'I'hereforc  we  determined  to  send  our 
trains  hack  for  sui)|>li(\s.  and  to  ourselves  remain  in  the  country  an  indef- 
inite time,  and  until  they  were  tinally  suhju^'ated. 

The  i)eriod  of  lieat  and  sunshine  was  linally  followii  liy  sncii  an  over- 
shadowing- of  the  heavens  as  created  an  impression  (tf  ^'i-anchuir  and  awe. 
The  threatening,'  elements  were  not  lon^'  in  showing  tlie  foi'ce  and  fury  of 
the  storm  that  had  heen  pitherinj^j.  First  there  came  a  few  scatterinj,' 
drops  like  shots  as  one  a])proaches  a  hattlelicdd,  fjfivin^'  warninj,'.  and  at 
the  same  time  impressiujj:  one  with  their  force.  These  were  accompanied 
by  tlie  distant  roll  of  thunder  and  occasional  flashes  of  li^ditiiin<j^.  followed 
by  a  drenching  Hood  of  water,  and  then  came  the  lierce  onslauj^ht  of  the 
terrible  storm  in  all  its  wild  and  relentless  fury.  It  was  at  first  refreshing, 
but  afterward  pitiless  in  volume  and  extent  aiul  in  its  incessant  ragin<;. 
The  tethered  animals,  unable  to  break  away,  turned  their  heads  from  the 
storm  and  huddl(Ml  together  as  best  they  could  to  escape  its  fury.  Fortu- 
nate indeed  were  those  able  to  back  up  a<j:ainst  some  stronj^^tent  orcovered 
wagon  which  would  partly  protect  them  from  the  beating  hail  and  rain. 
It  is  remarkable  how  tjuickly  changes  occur  in  that  country,  from  extreme 
heat  to  V  hat  is  there  called  the"  norther;'"  the  cold  harsh  winds  tliat  are  hlhnl 
with  particles  of  ice  which  neither  man  nor  animal  can  face.  These 
storms  are  undoubtedly  the  result  of  a  cold  current  of  the  atmosphere 
coming  in  contact  with  a  warmer  one  near  the  earth.  To  attempt  to 
move  under  such  circumstances  wfuild  have  been  extremely  injudicious, 
and  all  that  could  be  done  was  to  patiently  wait  until  the  storm  should  be 
over  and  the  earth  dry  again,  r  ortunately.  by  carefully  husbanding  our 
supplies,  we  had  enough  to  last  us  until  the  supply-train  arrived. 

The  river  spoken  of  as  drifting  white  sand  had  now  become  a  roaring 
torrent  of  water,  rushing  down  through  the  arroyas  and  canons,  and  fill- 
ing the  main  streams  until  they  overflowed  their  banks.  The  streams 
which  ten  or  twelve  days  before  were  wide  stretches  of  dry  sand  could 
not  now  be  crossed  without  great  difficulty  and  danger,  the  horses  being 
compelled  to  swim.  'J'he  dry.  heated  atmosphere  had  given  place  to  one 
filled   with  water  and  charged  with  electricity. 


; 


l.lil 


l] 

1 

i.l||    ;J 

'1 

i 

t!  I 


:■! 


«  "• 


■|l 


172 


PEKSONAL  liECOr.LECTIONS  OF 


'  ■i^. 


!<    f.'l 


ClIAPTEl?  XII. 

KrOVVAS    AND   COMANCIIKS. 

Tin;  KmwAs  and  CoMANcirns  ov  'I'ln;  Wah  I'vrii  —  Ai'm-vck  cin  'imi:  Sii'ii.v  Tkmn  —  Sccit  t  Sciimai,- 
si.ic  —  'I'liAis    l»i:i,ii;\  i:i)  —  (iM.i.AVi'    I)i:i'i:nsk  or  Si:i((ii:  >  sr   \\'<mi|)|iai.i,    and   I'Aitrv  — 

C'AITAIN    |{M.D\V1n's   FkhIT  UN  TIIK   .Mt'(!l, 1:1,1. AN  CuKKK  —  UllSCri'.  I'l'    .IlI.IA   AND 

Adki.mdi:  (ii;uMAivK —  A  .Mtdwinikk  ('a  mi- a  kin  —  Uksciio  or  I'lii.  '\'\\i> 

Hi:MAINIMi  (iDUMAINi:  Slsli;i{H  AND  Si' IIM  ISSK  iN  i)I'    THK    LasI'oK 

TDi;  llnsrii.i:s  —  Oititiis  ok  tmi:  ('  vki.isi.io  Indian  Si  ihmh, 
—  IkKsn.i  >  111'  'I'm:  Siii.ii  d  \  tion  nr  rnic  SmriiKKN 

TifllllOS  —  OlMNKtN  l>h'    (li:Ni:iiAI.  SlIKIil- 
DAX       ox       TIIK      ('A.Ml'AUiN. 

T'R  trains  were  sent  hack,  as  stated,  to  Fort  Supply  to  replenish 
om  stores.  While  this  was  hein<^  done  a  lar;j;e  hody  of  Kiowas 
and  I'onianches  l(»ft  their  reservation  and  eoninienced  hostilities, 
crossinjj;  our  trail  near  where  we  had  crossed  the  Washita  in 
D'oin^f  south.  Here  they  attacked  our  su|)ply  train,  then  return- 
ing under  the  connuand  of  Captain  Wyllys  Lyman  from  Camp 
Supply,  who  witli  his  escort  was  surrounded  and  held  for  several 
days,  though  he  made  a  very  spirited  and  determined  defense,  (^ne 
officer.  Lieutenant  iiewis,  was  permanently  disabled,  and  sevei-al  of 
his  men  wen-e  killed  or  wounded,  yet  he  made  a  very  good  defense 
against  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  or  three  hundred  warriors.  Dur- 
ing the  night  a  daring  young  scout  named  Schmalsle  dashed  out  on 
horseback  through  the  line  of  beleaguers,  who  quickly  followed  him,  but 
l)eing  well  mounted  and  a  very  light  rider  he  was  too  speedy  for  his  pur- 
suers. They  chased  him  into  a  large  herd  of  buffaloes,  which  enabled  him 
to  escape  in  the  tumult  and  under  the  cover  of  the  darkness.  He  came 
near  being  thrown,  however,  by  his  horse  stepping  into  a  hole ;  an  acci- 
dent by  which  he  lost  his  ritle.  He  rode  on  as  rapidly  as  his  horse  could 
carry  him  during  the  night  until  at  last  the  animal  was  utterly  exhausted 
and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  him  in  a  small  bit  of  timber.  After  this  he 
traveled  by  night,  on  foot,  concealing  himself  during  the  day  in  the  brush 
or  timber,  and  finally  reached  Camp  Supply,  Indian  Territory,  giving  infor- 
mation of  the  situation  of  the  beleaguered  train  to  the  commanding  officer. 
Colonel  Iiewis,  who  at  once  sent  out  a  detachment  to  its  relief.     On  the 


m : 


(IKNKlv'AL   NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


17:{ 


Hlt[>r()ii('li  of  tliis  relief  tlic   liidiiiiis  witlidrcu .  iiiid  iillowcd  (';ii)tiiiii   liymaii 
to  i>i(»('('e(»(l  oil  liis  route. 

lijiter,  a  detacliiiieiit  of  six  iiio"  *"  currying' a  dis[>a,t(di  from  the  coiu- 
niaii<l  near  the  II(>(1  |{iver  to  (  ai..[»  Siijiply  \ver<'  .siin'(»iiiuled  l»y  one 
hundred  and  lifteeii  warriors.  'I'akiii;,'  refii^'e  in  a  l»ulTal<»  wallow,  a  sli^dit 
depression  on  the  oi»eu  plain,  they  there  held  their  ^•roiiiid  until  the  aj*- 
proach  of  a  eoniniand  under  Major  I'rice,  when  the  Indians  withdrew.  The 
soldierly  (pialities  ii(>re  displayed  were  such  thai  I  thou^dit  the  ineideiit 
worthy  of  a  special  report,  which  1  made  as  follows: 

llKAIMirAKTKKS     I  MM  AN    'I' l.i;  i:  I  1  <  >i;  V    Ex  I'DKri  l(  iN.  ) 

Ca.MT    »»N     AN'asIIITA      lilVIM!.    'I'kXAS.    SKI'TIIMltKIt    'J 4,     IS71    \ 

Aiui'Iani-Gknkkai,.  I'.  S.    Amn  :     (Tliro'  OlIiccH  of    Asst.  A<ljt.-(ifiicriil    iit    Il(li|rs. 
I)t'|it,  and  l)i\isi(tii  (if  tlif  .Missouri  iiiid  of  tlic  Afliiy.) 

(  Jkn  KI!Ai. : — I  (Icciii  it  l)iit  ii  (liitv  to  i)f:i\('  men  iiiul  faitliful  soldiers  to  l)riiiir  to  tlii' 
nolicr  of  till'  liio-lii'st  iiiilitarv  autlioritv  an  iiistainc  of  iiidoiiiitahit'  coiiraoc.  skill  and  tnit* 
licroisni  on  the  part  of  a  dctat'liMUMit  from  his  (•oiiimaiid. 
witli  till'  r('(|m'st  tliat  tlic  actors  hi'  rcwardt'd.  and  their  failh- 
fulness  and  l)raver\  recooiiized  l)v  jiensions.  medals-  of- 
hoiior,  or  in  such  way  us  may  he  dctMned  most  littiny. 

On  the  nii^ht  of  the  Kith  instant,  a  party  consisting'' of 
Serueant  /.  'I'.  W'oodhall,  Co.  "I,"  Privates  I'eter  Katli. 
Co.  "A."  .lohn  Ilarrinirton,  C>o.  '"II,"  and 
(ieorire  W.  Smith  Co.  "  M."  (Sth  Cavalry,  and 
Scouts  Anu)s  Chapman  and  William  Dixon,  were 
sent  as  hearers  of  Despatches  from  the  Camp  of 
this  command  on  MuClcllan  Crock,  'I'exas.  to 
Camp  Supply,  1.  T. 

At  t)  A.  M.  of  the  12tli,  wlioii  ajiproachino'  thc! 
Washita  River,  they  were  met  and  surrounded 
by  a  band  of  about  12')  Riowas  and  Coiiuiiu'hes, 
who  iiad  recently  It'ft  their  ai^ency,  and  at  the 
first  attack  four  of  the  six  were  struck.  Pvt. 
Smith,  mortally,  and  three  others  severely 
wounded.  Althouirh  enclosed  on  all  sides  and 
by  over\vhelmin<^  luunbers,  one  of  them  suc- 
ceeded, while  they  were  under   a   severe    (ire    at 


■ihort 


raiiiji'e,  au( 


1  wh 


ule  the  others  with  their  ritli>s 


AVm.    V.    SCMMAI.SI  i:,    Scol'T. 


were  keepinijthe  Indians  at  bay,  in  disjcifiniif  with  his  knife  and  hands  a  sliolit  cover.  After 
this  had  lieen  secured  they  ])Iaced  tlienistdves  within  it.  the  wounded  walkino-  with  brave 
and  painful  efforts,  and  Private  Smith-  thouM-li  he  had  received  a  mortal  wound-  sittintf 
upriirlit  in    the  trench,  to  conceal  the  crippled  condition  o."  their  party  from  the  Indians. 

l^'rom  early  morninijf  till  dark,  outnumbered  2")  to  1.  under  an  almost    constant  fire  and 
at  such  short  rauije  that  they  sonu'times  used  their  pistols,  retaininif  the  last  char^'e  to  jire- 
vent  capture  and  torture,  this  little    party  of   five   defended    their  lives  and  the  person  of 
M— 11 


^, 


Jt.^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


■^|2j8    125 

|jo   ^^     W^M 

m  m 
:^  us  IS2.0 


|2£ 


11.25  i  1.4 


7 


HiotQgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WK~  AAAIN  STREiT 

wnsTER,.M.Y.  usao 

(716)  S73-4S03 


A 


.V 


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\ 


■ 


If 


174 


TKUSONAI.  KKCOLLhICTlOXS  OF 


tlu'ir  (iviiii;  I'omnuli',  without  foixl,  and  tlirir  only  driiik  the  rain  water  that  collect*'!!  in 
the  liollow  tlicv  liad  made.  niiuLflcd  with  their  own  blood.  There  is  no  douht  tl.at  they 
killed  more  tlian  doiil)h>  their  nuniher,  besides  those  they  wounded. 

The  Indians  al)andoii*>d  the  iittack  at  dark  on  the  I'JtIi. 

The  exposure  and  distance  from  tlu'  connnand,  which  were  necessary  incidents  of  their 
duty,  were  su»'h  that  for  thirtv-six  hours  from  the  first  attack  their  con<lition  could  not  he 
known,  and  not  till  midniirht  of  the  DStli  coidd  they  receiv(>  medical  attendance  or  food, 
and  they  were  exposed  durini,''  all  this  time  to  an  incessant  cold  storm. 

Serjeant  Woodhall.  IVivate  JIarrintrtoii  and  Scout  Chapman  were  seriously  wounded  : 
Private  Smith  died  of  his  woiuid  on  the  morniu!^  of  the  13th;  I'vt.  iiath  and  Scout  Dixon 
were  struck  hut  not  disabled. 

The  simple  recital  of  their  deeds  and  the  mention  of  the  <»dds  a<;ainst  which  they 
fouifht ;  how  tlu*  wounded  defended  the  dyini»",  and  the  dyin<;  aided  the  wotmded  by  ex- 
posure to  fresh  wounds  after  the  power  of  action  was  ifone  ;  these  alone  jiresent  a  scene 
of  cool  courai,'e.  heroism  and  self-sacrilice  which  duty,  as  well  as  incliiuition,  prompts  us 
to  reco^'ui/.e,  but  whici:  we  ciiiniot  fitly  honor.        Very  respct'ly,  Vour  obedient  serv't, 

(Siirned):  Nki-son  A.   Mil.Ks, 

Colonel  and   IJrevet   Major-General,   U.  S.  Army,  Commandinc^, 

About  this  tiiiiP  excel iont  work  was  done  by  (Jeneral  Mackenzie's  com- 
mand from  tlie  south.  They  had  moved  up,  crossing  the  lieadof  Tulecafion 
and  surprised  acamp  of  Indians  at  Canon  lihmco.  a  tributary  of  the  lied 
Hiver,  capturing  a  herd  of  Indian  ponies,  numbering  some  twelve  hundred, 
and  destroying  the  camp.  This  enter])risingof1icer's  operations  were  much 
crippled  by  the  difliculty  of  getting  his  transpcu'tation  from  the  south,  and 
his  comnnind  was  very  much  br()ken  down  by  the  terrible  rains  that  fol- 
lowed the  dry  season,  and  made  that  i)orti(m  of  the  country  in  which  he 
was  oi)erating  almost  impassable  for  wagons.  Of  course  we  also  had  these 
floods  to  contend  with,  but  by  establishing  small  supply  camps  on  the 
Canadian,  the  Washita,  and  the  tributaries  of  the  Hed  Hiver,  I  was  enabled 
to  keep  my  command  in  very  fair  order  and  use  it  .against  the  Indians 
whenever  they  could  be  found  in  that  remote  country. 

Our  operations  lasted  during  the  autumn,  and  even  into  the  winter.  They 
resulted  in  nine  different  engagements  and  affairs  with  the  Indians  by  dif- 
ferent detachments  and  under  different  officers;  chiefly  under  Major 
C()mi>ton,  Captain  Chaffee,  Lieutenant  Baldwin  and  Major  Lyman.  When- 
ever the  Indians  could  be  found  they  were  followed  as  long  as  their  trails 
could  bt  traced.  Lieutenant  lialdwin  with  his  detachment,  and  Troop  1)  of 
Sixth  Cavalry. and  Company  Dof  Fifth  lnfantry,attackedacampof  thechief, 
(iray  Beard.  Cheyenne  Indians  on  the  north  branch  of  McClellan  Creek  on 
November  8,  and  in  a  spirited  engagement  drove  the  Indians  out  of  their 
camp  to  the  Staked  Plains  again. 


P: 


,    -f. 


•!! 


il 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


175 


In  this  engagement  he  rescued  two  white  girls  that  were  held  in  cap- 
tivity !)>■  these  Indians,  named  Julia  and  Adelaide  (Jermaine,  whose  parents 
had  been  killed  in  western  Kansas,  as  mentioned  in  a  previous  chapter. 
Here  we  first  learned  that  besides  these  two,  the  two  elder  sisters  were  still 
in  the  hands  of  the  Indians.  It  was  surprising  to  see  the  sympathy  and  emo- 
tion of  the  soldiers  and  trainmen  as  they  listened  to  the  story  from  the 
lips  of  these  two  little  half-starved  girls.  One  teamster,  as  the  tears  ol 
sympathy  rolled  down  his  cheeks,  remarked:  "I  have  driven  my  mules 
over  these  i)lains  for  three  months,  but  I  will  stay  forever  or  until  we  get 


(.■^tycr^'  .>  ■ 


TlIK   ViCTilKY  OK  Tin;   I'kivatks 


them  other  girls."  These  little  children 
were  sent  back  in  charge,  of  Dr.  Powell  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  where  they  were  well  cared  for. 
On  his  return  Dr.  Powell  brought  with  him  a  jdiotograph  which  he  had  had 
taken  of  them  in  their  improved  condition,  and  which  was  used  in  an  im- 
portant event  that  occurred  two  months  later. 

The  campaign  continued  during  the  autumn,  the  purpose  being  to  make 
that  remote  country,  which  the  Indians  had  formerly  used  as  their  retreat- 
ing ground,  untenable  for  them  until  they  should  be  brought  under  subjec- 
tion. As  they  had  been  defeated  in  so  many  engagements,  the  weakest  of 
the  Indians  began  to  retreat  back  to  the  agency  in  snuill  numbers,  and  the 
approach  of  cold  weather  was  having  its  effect  on  all  the  tribes  that  re- 
mained out  in  hostility.   Their  ponies  had  been  so  much  worn  down  by  their 


!    Mi 


J  76 


I'EliSONAI.  IJKCOM.KCTIONS  OK 


being  kept  constantly  on  tlio  move  that  when  winter  struck  them  in  their 
weakened  condition  they  die(l  l»y  iiinidreds  on  tlie  cold,  Ideak  plains. 

Finally,  in  January,  helieviu},'  that  those  still  reniaiiiinj^  out  were  in  a 
disposition  to  surrender,  I  sent  a  niessa;ie  to  them  deiuaudiug  their  surren* 
der;  and  the  frierlly  Indian  who  carried  this  tles[)atch  also  took  with  him 
the  photo^naph  of  the  twr  little  (lennaine  ^Mrls.  with  the  injunction  to 
place  it.  unknown  to  the  Indians,  in  the  hand  of  one  of  the  captives,  if  he 
could  lind  them.  The  nuvssa^c  was  carried  l»y  a  small  detachment  of 
I'riendly  Iiulians,  They  found  the  hostile  <'amp  on  the  Staked  IMains,  on  a 
tributary  of  the  Pecos  Kiver.  on  the  border  of  New  Mexico,  The  Indian 
carrying  the  i)iiotograph  of  the  little  girls  when  unobserved  (piietly  i)laced 
it  in  the  hands  of  the  eldest;  giving  her  the  first  knowledge  she  had  that 
her  sisters  were  living  and  that  they  had  been  recaptured.  On  the  back  of 
the  photograph  was  a  message  reading  as  follows: 

IlKAixirAiM'Kits  Indian  'l'i:i!i:iroi;v  Kxtkihtion. 

In  iiii-;  Fii;i.i>.  .liiiiiiary  ?i0tli,  1875. 
To  the   Misses  Gcnmiiiit':  Voiir  littlt*  sisters  arc  well.  iiii<l    in   tlie   iiaiids  <»f  friends.      Do 
not  bo  tliscouratred.      Kvery  effort  is  Ijeiiiir  made  for  your  welfare. 

(Sij^iied)  Nklson   .\,    Mil.Ks,  Colonel   and  ]5revet    Ma jor-(iieiieral,   U.    S.  Army, 

(.'oniinandinir  Expedition. 

The  girl  afterward  told   me  that  she  was  almost  wild  with  joy  on  re- 
ceiving the  message.     I'p  to  that  time  she  had  not  had  a  single  ray  of 
h()[)e  and   did  not  know  that  any  (me  knew  where  they 
were  or  that  they  were  alive,  or  that  they  would  ever  see 
the  faces  of  white  people  again.     She  said  that  from  that 
time  until  they  were  finally  restored  the  hope  of  ultinuite 
relief  gave  them   courage  to   endure  their    hardships. 
With  the  demand  for  the  surrender  of  the   Indians 
^^'^^  when  it  was  delivered,    was  a   message  to  the 

chief  saying  that  no  peace  could  be  made  except 
on  condition  that  they  brought  in  alive  the 
prisoners  they  had   in   their   hands.      The 
chief  at  once  sent  f?  r  these  two  girls  and 
placed  them  in  a  tent  next  to  his  own,  and 
had  them  well  cared  for,  and  the  whole  body 
immediately  commenced  to  move  toward  the 
east,  traveling  through  the  storms  of  winter  and 
over  the  snow  and  ice  a  distance  of  more  than 
The  Gekma,n.o  8i«tkks.       twohundred  miles  to  their  agency,  wliere  they  finally 

surrendered.     The  winter  was  very  cold  and  although  causing  some  suffer- 


m 


M 

< 

a. 

M 
H 


UJ 

z 
o 

o 

I- 

lU 

> 

H 
Z 

UJ 


li^ 


SS2 


r:uV  i«;i,irir\  ry: 


>    jjl^^Hfy' 

'  n 

iji 

m 


:1  I 

«' 


'^ 


GENEHAK  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


\1\) 


ing  to  the  troops,  it  was  one  of  the  best  allies  we  eoiild  possibly  have 
had  in  subjugating  the  Indians.  As  the  troops  were  out  constantly 
from  midsummer  until  midwinter,  the  cold  came  on  them  verv  grad- 
ually and  they  did  not  feel  it  so  much  as  if  they  had  been  housed  and 
then  gone  out  suddenly  into  the  cold.  IJy  supplying  them  with  an 
abundance  of  good  warm  clothing,  and  keeping  both  men  and  aninuils 
sui>plied  with  i>leuty  of  food,  we  were  enabled  to  move  about  the  country 
and  endure  the  severity  of  the  winter  without  serious  loss  to  either  men  or 
aninuils.  This  was  before  a  pernument  military  post  had  been  established 
in  that  country.  When  this  was  done  it  was  named  "Elliot"  for  the  gal- 
lant ollicer  who  lost  his  life  in  the  engagement  on  the  Washita. 

The  result  of  the  campaign  and  the  expedition  as  above  described  was 
the  complete  subjugation  of  four  powerful  tribes  of  hostile  Indians.  The 
tril)es  that  had  gone  out  in  the  summer  splendidly  equipped  with  all  the 
grand  parai)hernalia  for  an  Indian  campaign,  with  beautiful  lodges  and 
thousands  of  ponies,  came  back  in  the  winter,  many  of  them  on  foot,  in 
abject  poverty,  leaving  most  of  their  horses  dead  upon  the  plains  as  well 
as  many  of  their  people.  In  fact  some  bands  that  had  never  before  sur- 
rendered, l)ut  had  always  remained  out  in  a  hostile  attitude,  esi)ecially 
that  known  as  the  Quahada  C'omanches  or  "Antelope  Eaters,"  who  lived 
out  on  the  high  Staked  Plains  of  western  Texas,  and  from  time  im- 
memorial had  raided  western  Texas  and  old  Mexico,  this  time  were 
obliged  to  yield.  As  a  result  of  this  cami)aign  they  have  remained  peace- 
able from  that  time  to  the  present,  with  the  exception  of  part  of  the 
Cheyenne  tribe  that  broke  out  and  went  north  under  Little  Wolf  in  1S77, 
where  they  were  captured  by  part  of  my  command  on  the  Yellowstone  in 
Montana. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  Indians  the  warriors  were  formed  in  line  in 
the  presence  of  the  troops,  and  the  two  elder  (Jermaine  girls  went  along 
down  the  line  pointing  out  to  the  officers  the  different  men  who  had  been 
engaged  in  the  murder  of  their  family,  and  in  other  atrocities;  and  to  the 
number  of  seventy-tive  thesi^  men  were  taken  out  of  the  camp  and  placed 
under  guard  and  taken  under  the  charge  of  Captain  Pratt  to  St.  Augustine, 
Florida.  As  these  Indians  passed  through  Fort  Leavenworth,  Minimic, 
one  of  the  principal  chiefs,  asked  me  to  take  his  son,  young  Minimic. —  who 
was  I  think  one  of  the  handsomest  Indians  I  have  ever  seen,  a  stalwart 
young  man  of  about  twenty-two  years-  and  teach  him  the  ways  of  the 
white  men.  I  appreciated  the  sentiment,  but  at  the  same  time  I  realized 
the  futility  of  trying  to  accomplish  any  good  results  with  but  one  Indian, 


I 


m 


!  i  <i 


(I 


im 


I'KIJSONAL  HECOLLECTFONS  OF 


!! 


I   I 


and  without  any  systtMn  for  general  iniprovemcMit.  Thinking  the  matter 
over  I  was  prompted  to  urge  upon  the  government  as  strongly  as  possible 
tluit  tlie  Indian  youth  be  given  an  opportunity  to  improve  their  condition  ; 
and  in  my  report  of  that  expedition  and  its  results  I  urged  an  entire 

change  in  the  system  of  government  and 
management  of  these  Indians.  Wherever 
the  suggestion  has  been  tried  it  has  been 
eminently  successful.  Out  of  Captain 
Pratt's  judicious  management  of  this  body 
of  wild  savage  murderers,  has  grown  the 
great  industrial  Indian  school  at  Carlisle, 
Pennsylvania.  The  tribes  from  which  the 
children  have  been  taken  to  be  educated 
have  been  benefited  to  an  incalculable  ex- 
tent. The  subjugation  of  the  Indians  per- 
mitted the  settlements  of  northern  Texas, 
eastern  New  Mexico,  Colorado  and  south- 
ern Kansas  to  enjoy  an  unprecedented  and 
unbroken  era  of  prosperity  and  security ; 
and  the  very  territory  which  was  then  tlie 
battle-ground  between  the  troops  and  the 
Indians  has  been  subdued  by  settlers,  every 
valley  is  occupied  by  ranchmen  and  far- 
mers, numerous  railroads  have  crossed  the  country,  and  the  millions  of 
butt'aloes  that  tramped  over  these  prairies  are  now  replaced  by  domestic 
stock  in  almost  countless  numbers. 

Tho  \'ast  area  of  country  which  was  the  arena  of  that  campaign,  over 
which  Indians  and  bulfaloes  and  wild  horses  then  roamed,  was  a  very  few 
years  afterward  transformed  into  a  series  of  peaceful  communities.  Set- 
tlements gradually  extended  themselves  over  the  valleys  and  fertile  plains. 
First  came  the  snuill  hamlet  of  the  prospector  and  homesteader;  then  the 
comfortal)le  homes  and  cultivated  lields  of  waving  grain,  tasselled  corn, 
and  flowers  and  trees  and  vineyards;  then  church-spires  and  courthouses; 
and  finally  those  temples  of  American  intelligence  and  free  citizenship — 
the  public  schools  and  colleges.  The  buttes  and  landmarks  that  had 
looked  down  on  the  scenes  of  recent  wild  and  savage  rage,  cruel 
atrocities  and  fierce  encounters,  now  look  only  on  peaceful  and  happy 
industrial  communities.  Where  was  then  a  wild  desert,  as  indicated  on 
the  maps  of  the  time,  are  now^  found  interminable  irrigating  ditches  and 


Captain  K.  II.  Pkatt. 


(iKNKIiAL  NKF^SOX  A.  MII.KS. 


ISI 


canals  and  flowing?  fountains,  and  busy  men  briiij^in*?  ricli  stores  from  the 
coal  beds  which  underlie  a  vast  area  of  that  country.  In  fact  the  very 
gyi>suni  beds  that  were  such  annoying  and  distressing  afflictions  to  us  only 
twenty  years  ago  have  been  utilized  in  various  ways  by  the  industry  of 
the  whites.  A  vast  amount  of  this  gypsum  was  shipi)ed  very  recently  to 
the  Queen  City  of  the  West  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  the  great 
"White  City"  of  the  Columbian  Exposition. 

The  territory  in  which  this  campaign  was  conducted  against  the  Chey- 
ennes,  Arapahoes.  Kiowas  and  Comanches,  included  a  large  portion  of  the 
Indian  Territory,  the  I'an  Handle  of  Texas,  southern  Kansas  and  portions  of 
Colorado  and  New  Mexico,  and  embraced  an  area  larger  than  the  States  of 
New  York,  New  Jersey,  Delaware  and  all  New  England  combined.  It  had 
long  been  nuirked  on  the  maps  as  a  part  of  the  Creat  American  Desert, 
but  a  large  portion  of  it  has  proved  to  be  a  si»lendid  agricultural  country, 
while  the  remainder  makes  a  tine  grazing  ground  and  supports  vast  herds 
of  sheep,  cattle  and  horses.  In  the  eastern  and  northern  sections  partic- 
ularly, corn  and  grain  are  raised  in  great  abundance,  and  in  the  southern 
part  the  raising  of  cotton  is  very  successful.  Altogether  the  country  is 
capable  of  supporting  several  milli(ms  of  civilized  people. 

At  the  close  of  the  campaign  the  rescued  (iermaine  girls  were  sent  to 
Fort  Leavenworth,  and  I  was  appointed  their  guardian.  I  secured  a  provi- 
sion in  an  appropriatian  by  Congress  diverting  ten  thousand  dollars  from 
the  annuities  of  the  offending  Indians,  to  be  given  to  them.  This  sum  was 
set  apart  for  the  benefit  of  these  girls,  the  interest  to  go  for  their  support 
during  their  minority,  and  the  principal  to  be  divided  and  given  to  them 
on  reaching  their  majority.  They  have  since  giown  up,  and  have  each 
received  $2500.  They  are  now  married,  and  are  occupying  happy,  though 
widely-separted  homes  in  Kansas.  Colorado  and  California. 

I  conclude  this  chapter  with  a  paragraph  selected  from  the  ensuing 
annual  report  of  Lieutenant-General  P.  H.  Sheridan,  commanding  Military 
Division  of  the  Missouri : 

"  li»  tlie  cle|»artinent  of  the  Missouri,  tlie  campaign  ajjainst  the  Cheyeiuies.  Kiowas  and 
Coniant'hes  was  finished  earlv  in  the  s]irin<^.  and  the  rinij^leaders  and  worst  c-riininals 
separated  from  the  tribes  and  sent  to  Fort  Marion.  FU)rida.  Tliis  campaign  ',.as  not  oidy 
very  conipr.^hensive,  but  was  tlie  most  successful  of  any  Indian  campaiirn  in  the  country 
since  its  settlement  by  the  whites;  and  much  credit  is  due  to  the  officers  and  men  engaged 
in  it."" 


I 


■i:i 


■  1  ! 


t 
t 

( i 

•ri? 

i:    1 

i      ':; 

'.          i 

Mfi'i 

^ 

[I 


1  I 


iM 


I 


il 


1S2 


I'KKSONAL  WKCOLhhXTK )NS  OK 


CIIAITKK    XIII. 
Indian  DiKFuri/riKs  in  Nkw  Mkxico. 

InHIAV     OlTllllKVK    AT   Tin:    ClM  MtHKN    .\<1|;MY  —  (K     TIII:     W  mi     I'aTII — 'rilonl's    OltltKKKI)    A(»AISf(T 

TiiKM —  I'l:  \»i:ri  I.    Hviiiti  iikm    1{i:si  it    in    a    Cui  vcii.  —  ('\rsi:s    >>\-    tiii:    (M  tiiukak — 

('iiNiHTiiiN  u|.Tiii;  Ivnivvs — I\  {'ui  \ni.  —  Tiik  Tiiiii:ati;\i;i>  Wak  Av<iii>ki>  —  Sir- 

«'i:ssii  I,  Kri'iiui's   lu  |{i;tti:u  {'<im»itiiix  ur   iin:   Immans  —  Ciiauai "iiMt  i>k 

Tin:   Cui  NTiiv  —  lNTi;i(i:HTi\(i   l!i  iss  —  Swta    Vf: — I'ikk'm   I'ioak  — 

IIi:i.i:n   Hint   .Iackshs     am>    licit   Last   I!i:stin(!  I'i.aci;. 

N  Dcccinbor.  is?'),  an  oiithn^ak  by  tho  Musiclio  I'tes  smd  Jicarilla 
Apiiciu's  (M'ciiiTcd  at  the  Indian  ajxt'in'V  at  Cimarron,  New  Mexico. 
'J'lie  Indians  coininenced  hostilities  by  tirinj;  into  the  agency 
and  driviiifj;  the  white  people  away.  The  ajjjent  Hed  for  his 
life.  The  Indums  then  left  their  reservations  and  wont  into 
the  mountains  to  the  west.  This  (hunonstration  occasioned 
great  consternation  in  the  vicinity  and  throughout  all  that 
territory,  especially  among  the  scattered  settlements.  Troops 
were  ordered  to  move  into  the  territory  from  the  south  and 
north  and  concentrate  at  Cimarron,  and  I  was  ordered  to  proceed  im- 
mediately by  rail  and  stage  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  to  that  point, 
to  take  command  of  the  troops  and  proceed  to  (pudl  the  rebellion.  I  went 
by  rail  as  far  as  the  terminus  of  the  road  at  I'lieblo,  Colorado,  thence  by 
stage  over  the  Raton  Mountains  to  Cimarron,  New  Mexico. 

Before  commencing  an  active  canijjaign.  especially  at  that  season  of 
the  year.  I  desired  to  obtain  the  fullest  information  concerning  the 
causes  of  the  disturbance.  To  that  end  I  sent  out  by  a  runner,  a  half-breed 
Mexican  Indian,  a  message  to  the  principal  chief  of  the  hostiles  informing 
him  that  I  was  there  with  troops  to  maintain  order  and  suppress  actual 
violence,  and.  if  necessary,  to  make  a  campaign  against  the  tri})es  that  h.nd 
begun  the  hostilities,  but  that  before  taking  any  action  I  desired  to  hear 
his  side  of  the  case.  He  replied  that  if  I  would  give  him  protection  under 
a  tiag  of  truce  to  come  in  and  state  his  case  and  then  return  again  to  the 
mountains,  he  would  come  in  t^nd  meet  me.  I  sent  back  word  to  him  to 
assure  him  of  protection  both  coming  and  going,  and  a  guarantee  of  his 
safe  return. 


(iKNKKAl-  NKI.SON   A.  MILKS. 


1.S3 


In  tlio  coiirso  of  ai  few  days  ho  arrived.  In  tlio  romu'il  tliat  followed 
I  iiifoniH'^l  liiiii  of  the  condition  of  affairs;  of  the  re|K»rts  wiiich  had  heeu 
received  l»y  the  j^overninent,  and  of  tiie  instrnctions  which  tlH»  ^'overnnient 
iiad  given  to  the  military  anthorities.  lie  in  tnrn  informed  me  that  he  did 
not  desire  war.  neither  did  his  people,  hut  that  they  were  compelled  to  re- 
sort to  li<»stilities  or  die  hy  slow  starvation  ;  that  under  the  terms  of  the 
treaty  they  were  granted  certain  provisions  and  a  certain  amount  of  cloth- 
ing and  annuities,  which  agreement  had  not  heen  ciunplied  with,  lie  said 
that  the  heef  furnished  hy  the  contractor  was  such  that  it  was  impossihle 
for  his  i)eople  to  use  it  for  food ;  that  old,  worn-out  oxen,  that  had  heen 
used  in  hauling  freight  over  the  i)lains  and  mountains  until  they  were 


Indians  on  tiii:  LutiKni  t 


utterly  useless  for  such  purposes,  were  issued  to  his  people  for  heef.  when 
in  fact,  they  were  simply  skin,  bones,  hides,  hoofs  and  horns  and  could  not 
be  utilized  for  food,  the  life-giving  properties  having  been  all  exhausted. 
In  place  of  Hour,  which  was  granted  by  the  terms  of  the  treaty,  his  people 
had  been  furnished  with  what  is  known  as  "shorts,"  which  is  simply  the 
husk  obtained  from  the  wheat  when  it  passes  through  the  flouring  mill, 
and  which  is  of  very  little  or  no  value  as  food ;  in  fact  it  was  impossible  to 
make  bread  of  it. 

Later  on,  when  I  visited  their  camp,  I  was  given  specimens  of  this  so- 
called  "  beef"  and  *'  flour"  and  the  facts  conflrmed  the  statements  of  the  chief. 

I  assured  him  that  as  far  as  I  was  concerned  it  was  not  my  desire  to 
make  war  upon  him  or  his  people,  but  that  he  must  bring  his  tribe  back  to 


!   l: 


Si 


|i 


1S4 


I'KKSONAI,  l.'KCniJ.KCIloNS  ( >K 


tlM>  place  \vIhm'<>  tliry  liiid  t'onnrrly  <'uiii|mmI,  itmi  |>iit  tliciii  nii<l(M-  tlio  aii- 
tlioriti(>s;  and  in  turn,  as  I  sissiirrd  liini.  I  \v<Mil<i  see  that  tli(>  t<>rnis  of  tli(> 
treaty  wero  ri^'idly  roinplietl  Nvitli :  I  would  jdai'c  an  oIIhmt  in  cliur^jfe  of 
the  agency,  and  would  see  tluit  the  contraetois  I'uniished  heel'  aiitl  flour  in 
ucconlancc^  with  the  terms  of  the  treaty  and  their  eontnn'ts.  lie  assured 
it)(>  that  under  thos(>  circumstances  he  woidd  lirin^'  his  peojde  in  within 
iiv(>  da>s.  and  passed  out,  up  the  \alley  and  the  monntain-sid(>.  under  th(> 
fla^'  of  truce. 

I  waited  those  five  days  patiently,  yet  conli<lent ly.  and  at  the  end  of 
the  stipulated  time.  I  saw  on  the  eastern  mountain-si<le  his  people  slowly 
windinj^  down  the  trail,  coming  in  the  direction  of  the  ai;ency.  This.  t<» 
me,  was  ntost  ^ratifyinj^',  and  in  due  time  they  all  came  in  an<l  occnpi(Ml 
their  former  camps. 

Visitinj^  these  camps  I  found  the  Indians  very  poor,  and  amonj;  what 
little  stores  they  had.  they  showed  the  supplies  that  had  heeii  ;,Mven  to 
them  as  food,  and  1  found  the  statements  made  to  me  hy  the  chief  to  he 
only  too  fully  <'orrol)orated.  I  placeii  an  oflicer  in  char^'e,  and  nMpiii-ed 
the  contractors  to  furnish  ^'ood  heef  under  their  contracts,  for  which  they 
were  receiving  ample  compensaticui  fron>  the  j,M>vennnent.  I  also  directed 
that  all  the  terms  of  the  treaty  should  he  carried  out.  as  well  as  all  other 
ohli^ations  of  the  ^'overnment  to  tiiese  people.  This  peaceful  endin},'  of 
what  threatened  to  he  a  serious  Indian  war  was  most  <;ratifyin^' to  me,  and 
1  returned  to  Fort  ii(>avenworth  after  an  ahsence  of  twenty-tive  days.  It 
is  much  hetter,  if  po.ssihie,  to  avoid  an  Indian  war,  and  much  easier  than 
to  end  one  after  hostilities  iiave  once  heen  fully  entered  upon. 

Durinjy:  the  <*ouncil  1  had  with  the  principal  <*hief  he  stated  to  me  as  a 
reason  why  his  [x^ople  did  not  sui>port  themselves,  especially  as  they  had 
done  so  formerly  when  ^ame  was  ahundant  and  they  could  fi'eely  roam 
over  the  country,  that  since  they  had  Ix'en  reipiired  to  remain  in  one  place 
they  found  it  imi)ossil>le.  **  Von  see,"  he  said,  "that  even  these  .Mexicans 
have  to  work  haid  to  sujtport  themselves,  althonjjh  they  have  for  <;eiiera- 
tions  heen  accustomed  to  livinj^  in  that  way.  They  know  how  to  build 
houses,  canals  and  ditches  and  irripite  their  lands.  They  know  what  time 
to  pl(uij;h.  what  seeds  to  plant  in  the  ^n'ound,  how  to  cultivate  and  harvest 
their  crops,  and  what  nse  to  make  of  them.  All  this  we.  heinj;  Indians,  do 
not  know,  and  it  takes  time  to  learn."  He  .said  to  me  further.  "  I  wish  you 
would  take  my  .son  and  educate  him  in  the  ways  of  the  white  men," 

This  was  the  second  request  I  had  received  within  a  few  months  from  a 
chief  to  take  his  son  and  educate  him  in  the  wavs  of  the  white  men.  and  it 


uKNKI!AI.  NK1><»N   A,  MII.KS. 


185 


Aimchi'  l'ii|i.<>rniiinciiti>(l  with  'ruiki\v  K.'iitlnT.-  iimi 

HiKtiiiis. 
Aimi-lii-  ('»|>,  Miuli-  uf  Ucii  I'll! lint 

witli  U\itti>iis  mill  Kciitlii'i's. 
Sioux  War  Shirt. 


iiiul  OriiiiiiK'iitcil 


A  I'.iir  "if  Sioux  Muccn^ins. 
TiiliMccc.  I'oiifli.  U.'.Miiiliully  Ih'iiilcd. 
Ti-.'.ciii,  Miiili'  «if  Mijivii'  Sliiii. 
'hiliiicco  I'liwch.  l'.l\li'>r:'ii  ly  Bi'iiilt'ii. 
Tiiti'iii.  Minlci.r  Tin-t!  ■  .-l.fll. 


>■ 

% 


i 


f 


1S6 


i'KHSONAI.  KKCOlJ.ia  TiONS  OF 


inii»ressetl  upon  my  niiiul  the  advisahility,  justice  cTiuI  humanity  of  the 
establi.sliment  by  tlie  ^'overnment  of  industrial  scliooLs  to  ^ive  an  opportu- 
nity to  these  people  to  send  their  children  where  they  could  be  taught 
habits  of  industry,  and  could  be  given  such  other  information  as  would 
enable  them  to  su[)port  themselves  when  they  become  of  suitable  age;  and 
accordingly,  in  making  my  report  of  this  ailair,  I  said: 

••  I  \v«»iil(l  oiinic'stlv  n'foiimu'iul  tliat.  us  far  as  possihl*'.  all  rliildren  1k'  <;atlierecl  into 
srluuils,  and  as  tlic  work  of  rcforiiiatioii  will  I'oiisuiiu'  yt'ai"s  of  tiiin*.  several  of  the  aban- 
doned ii'ilitarv  jiosts  on  the  frontier  shouKl  he  used  as  Normal  ISehools.  and  tlie  thousands 
of  hriiilit  aetive  ehildren  (espeeially  boys)  be  jilaeed  there  under  suitable  teaehers, 
and  edueated  and  tauirlit  habits  of  industry  and  skilled  labor.  They  would  then 
be  wholly  under  jiroper  inlluenees,  an<l  would  soon  abandon  many  of  their  sayage 
customs  and  the  vices  learned  alonif  the  remote  frontiir  settlements,  and  tlie  beneti- 
ciai  influences  of  these  jieople  upon  the  tribes,  when  they  \vere  returned,  would  be 
incalculable."' 

The  transformation  that  has  taken  place  in  that  country  of  northern 
New  Mexico  and  southern  ('ol(>rado  has  been  wonderful.  The  coal  fields 
of  Trinidad,  along  the  Purgatoire  and  other  atHuents  of  the  Arkan- 
sas, rival  those  of  Pennsylvania.  The  pleasant  valleys  and  the 
health-giving  properties  of  the  climate  have  become  known  the  world 
over.  Large  cities  have  grown  up.  such  as  l*ueblo.  Trinidad  and 
Denver. 

'J'lie  last  named  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  cities  in  the  world,  and  is 
e(pially  consi)icuous  tor  its  wealth  and  enterprise.  When  I  first  visited  the 
lilacein  ISO*,),  before  the  railroads  had  reached  there,  it  was  but  a  village  of 
.  catfrired  houses,  with  onl\  a  few  hundred  peoi)le.  Now^  its  population 
exceeds  one  hundred  and  ten  thousand,  its  streets  are  wide  and  regularly 
V.iid  out,  and  its  houses  are  of  modern  and  beautiful  construction.  Its 
stieets,  puMl'  buildings,  water  supply,  hotel  accommodations,  local 
transit,  etc..  a:-:  ;  robably  unsurpassed  by  those  of  any  city  of  its  size  in 
tlie  \\<;i']d. 

Nrt  r.ia  ;;.  '  pr^-s  ago  that  country  was  the  favorite  ground  of  the  hun- 
ters r.vvl  (nippers  who  belonged  to  the  American  Fur  Company.  They 
used  to  hunt  through  the  valleys  and  canons  and  over  the  mountains, 
where  they  found  vai^  quantities  of  game.  The  streams  are  abundantly 
supplied  with  tish  for  their  w'ants.  and  in  winter  they  gathered  into  some 
sheltered  hamlet  like  Trinidad  or  Pueblo,  or  a  spot  like  that  where  Denver 
now  stands,  to  remain  during  the  cold  weather.  Tn  this  rendezvous 
they   amused   themselves   by   comparing  notes  of  the   results  of   their 


CiENEHAL  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


187 


observations,  and  l)ytellinfj;  stories  of  their  explorations  and  adventures.  Sucli 
men  as  Kit  Carson.  Walker,  IJaker.  Jim  Bridjj;er.  and  otliers  of  like  stami) 
were  of  that  number. 

The  story  is  told  that  on  .sonu?  such  occasion,  one  nijjht  after  supper,  a 
comrade  who  in  his  travels  and  explorations  had  ^one  as  far  south  as  the 
Zuni  village,  New  Mexico,  and  had  dis- 
covered the  famous  })etriiied  forests  of 
Arizona,  intpiired  of  Biid^er  : 

"Jim,  were  you  ever  down  to  Zuni?" 

"No.tharaint  any  beaverdown  thar." 

'*13ut  Jim,  there  are  sonu>  things  in 
this  world  besides  beaver.  1  was  down 
there  last  winter  and  saw  great  trees 
with  limbs  and  bark  and  all  turned  into 
stone." 

"0,"  returned  Jim,  •'that's  peetrifac- 
tion.  Come  with  me  to  the  Yellow- 
stone next  summer,  and  I'll  show  you 
peetritied  trees  a-growing.  with  peetri- 
tied   birds  on   'em  a-singing  peetriHed 


songs. 

Now  it  so  happened  that  he  had  been 
to  the  Yellowstone,  and  had  seen  the 
"peetriHed  trees"  standing,  but  not  the 
'•peetritied  birds  "or  the  "peetritied  songs." 
stone  at  intervals  eject  hot  water,  supersaturated  with  carbonate  of  lime 
and  geyserite.  to  a  height  of  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred 
feet.  This  water  is  carried  laterally  by  the  wind,  sometinu^s  two  or  three 
hundred  feet,  saturating  the  trees,  and  gi-adually  covering  the  neai'est  side 
with  a  crystal  fornuition.  while  on  the  other  side  are  living  branches.  ;So 
Jim  Bridger's  story  was  in  part  true. 

Our  American  jewelers  for  some  years  have  been  cutting  up  the  petrified 
trees  from  the  famous  forests  of  Arizona  and  fashioning  them  into  exqui- 
site ornaments. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  New^  Mexico,  in  Na\iajo  County,  are  some 
extremely  interesting  stone  ruins.  They  are  oval-shai)ed  and  very  symmet- 
rical, from  three  to  seven  stories  in  height,  and  the  largest  must  have 
originally  contained  over  a  thousand  rooms.  It  is  very  apparent  that  they 
were  constructed  by  a  people  well  advanced  in  civilization.    It  is  extremely 


That's   1'i:i'.ti{11''\(  tii>\. 


The  geysers  of  the  Yellow 


11 


!  .  I 


;  ;■) 


II 


*  i 


l.ss 


PKIJSONAL  KKCOIJ.ECTJONS  OK 


I' 


<  )l 


ii 


!M 


Ji: 


'ITr 


•k'siniblo  tliut  tlicsc  niiiis  slumld  ho  luoro  tlioronj^hly  exi>l<)red,  in  order 
tliat  \\v  may  obtain  iiioio  satisfactory  information  regarding  the  people 
who  once  inhahited  them,  and  wlioso  entrance  into  and  disappearance 
from  this  country  are  hoth  eipially  mysterious.  The  so-called  "Aztec 
ruins."  near  the  Animas  liiver.  in  Colorado,  are  not  so  well  preserved  and 
are  much  smaller  tlian  those  in  New  Mexico. 

Sante  Fe.  at  present  the  capital  of  the  Territory  is  an  interestinfj^  city 
situated  seven  thousand  feet  ahove  the  sea  level,  amid  heautiful  scenery. 
The  houses  ai-e  built  of  adobe,  and  are  mostly  one  story  in  height.  There 
are  many  interesting  historical  associations  connected  with  this  place  as 
it  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  of  Ameiica.  There  is  also  a  school  for 
Indian  girls  hei'e.  There  are  many  old  buildings  and  among  others  the 
oldest  cathedral  on  the  continent.  The  population  is  chiefly  Mex- 
ican. Albuipu'rque  is  a  more  modern  American  town  aiul  a  railroad 
center. 

Fifty  miles  to  the  south  of  Denver,  is  Pike's  iVak.  This  lofty  mountain 
towers  up  to  a  height  of  nearly  fifteen  thousand  feet,  and  can  l)e  seen  a 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  away.  From  its  top  can  be  seen  a  large  part  of 
Colorado.  From  Colorado  Si»iings.  its  great  white  shoulder  rising  up  above 
the  blue  and  i)urple  of  the  hills,  it  seems  so  near  that  it  is  difficult  to 
believe  that  it  would  take  more  than  a  short  walk  to  reach  its  base. 
'I'lie  clearness  of  the  atnios[)liere  has  much  to  do  with  this  optical  il- 
lusion. 

There  are  three  ways  of  reaching  the  summit.  The  hardy  little  burro 
so  commonly  found  in  this  region  will  take  you  there,  but  he  must  have 
his  own  time,  which  will  })robably  l)e  two  or  three  days.  There  is  also  a 
cog  railroad  which  will  take  one  to  the  top  very  conifortal)ly.  J'ossibly, 
after  all.  the  most  delightful  way  is  by  carriage  over  a  mountain  road  of 
seventeen  miles,  alTording  views  of  the  most  nuignificent  scenery  all  the 
way,  and  making  the  ascent  into  the  regions  of  thin  air  sufficiently 
gradual. 

At  Coloi-ado  Springs,  just  at  the  foot  of  Pike's  I*eak,  for  many  years 
Helen  Hunt  -lackson,  who  has  written  so  much  in  favor  of  the  Indians, 
made  her  home;  and  hrr  enthusiastic  pen-])ictures  have  made  the  scenery 
of  this  part  of  the  country  famous  all  over  the  world.  Although  she  after- 
ward removed  to  California,  where  she  died,  her  body  w^as.  according  to 
her  own  directions,  brought  back  and  buried  on  the  top  of  Cheyenne 
Mountain,  where  she  had  spent  so  many  delightful  days  during 
her  life. 


.'•III! 


^i'^-ttff/  ' 


itly 


line 
■in^ 


1 


r. 
I. 
Z 
< 

0. 

o 

UJ 

< 

(0 
UJ 

I 
I- 

z 
o 
to 

UJ 


I- 

i       «5 

o 


ui 

I 

O 

> 
O 
> 

z 

UJ 

CO 
UJ 


< 

UI 

z 

Ui 

o 


i  1 

i     I 


'-Vu! 


mKNKUAL  nki.son  a.  mii.ks. 


191 


i  ! 


Thron  rnilfs  f  dmi  CoIohkIo  Spriii^n,  lies  Ww  farrifnis  (ranlon  of  tho  (lods, 
aiifl  its  ^'i^antic  gateway.  coDsistiiig  of  two  ciioriMoiis  stoiifs  nc^arly  three 
hiiriflred  feet  high,  nuiy  easily  he  seen  from  the  town.  (Jreat  masses  of 
red  and  yellow  sandstone  lie  seatt.ered  ahont  in  the  wildest  confusion, 
many  of  which  nature  ha.s  carved  into  shapes  both  strange  and  ijrotesciuo. 


'l.i 


:   'Ul 


M 


I   i 


lt)2 


I'KKSONAI.  IJK'IOLLKCTIONS  OF 


W    H: 


i 

ill 


i  i 


m 

CIIAITKIf   XIV. 
Tjik  Skmx    Wak. 

Tk'IIKH      fJoMI'OHtVfJ      Ttli;       DvK'iTN       N\IIiiV-i — ('vi-tK.S      l,r,M>IV<i      To      TMK       W  M!      '>(■•       ]k't',-~7 — 

SiTTiNO    Ml  r,f. —  IIk  (I'x^i  i:rri:s   »nir  \  l''>-<r  'I'll  mif.h    wn  'l"itiKi.i;:<   wrnr    \   S\w    Mri.i, — 

MAKMinsr;  I'ivi-KixTi'iNs  —  Mvi'Knii  ii>\    or   (»i;sr,i!  m.  ('hook- — ('kook'm  |)k.kk\i 

— (iKSKit  \r,  (iiMiios's   I'AiT.rffrfos  —  (ii:M;i!M,  'I'khkv's  ivvi-r.Kir  rov  —  .li  st  - 

TloV    Ol      TciMiV     \M)    (rllil'.ov    —    IHJT.AT       \M>     '\'H\(iU'     ]H:\\I[    OK 

('i  sTi:ii,   AMI  A  \Mini.\Tios  or  MM   iMNir.ni  \i  i:  (,'oMM  KS!i. 

lOrX  Indiiiiis  liavf?  ill  ready  hecii  n-fcrrod  to  in  coiinpctioti  with 
tli<!  Mimifisota  vvjir  of  ISCri.  Miid  the;  causes  lending'  tlien^to. 
'I'lieso  Indians  were,  fonrierly  known  as  tlif;  Ihikota  Xfition.  }ind 
tlif!  name  "■Sioux"  is  allef^'ed  to  li}i,v(;  lieen  j/iven  tliein  in  d(^- 
rision,  }i,nd  to  inejin  "eMt-tliroat "  or  '' Wut  (Mieniy."  It  was  per- 
haps the  stron<.'est  hody  of  Indians  that  had  existed  on  thf; 
rontinent.  Like  the  Six  Nations  they  were  to  some  extent  a 
(•onfe<|eration.  I'arkman  spf^aks  of  them  in  reconntinj^'  the  cam- 
paij^ns  of  two  hundrerj  years  a^^'o  a,lonj<  the  western  portion  of 
the  (Ireat  LakfNS,  <tondncted  hy  Lord  Halifax,  and  says  that  as  civilization 
pushed  them  west  they  in  turn  siihjn^'ated  and  adopted  into  their  family 
other  smaller  hands  of  Indians,  or  confederated  with  tlietn,  until  the 
afliliation  practically  emhraced  ten  different  tril)es.  all  known  as  tlu;  Sioux 
Nation,  or,  as  the  Indians  called  themselves,  th(;  Dakota,  Nation.  These 
trihes  vvc^re  the  I'ncpapas,  Oj^'alallas.  .Minneconjoux.  Sans  y\rcs.  Yanc- 
tonnais,  Santees.  Northern  Cheyennes.  Tetons.  Assinnehoins  arirl  Mrules. 

Soiru^  of  ihc.  hakotas  were  locatf^d  west  of  the  Missouri  before^  the 
Minnesota  massacres ;  others  went  therf;  after  the  campai^'ns  of  (Jenerals 
Sihiey  and  Sully  on  the  upper  Missouri,  occujiyin^  a  re^'ion  extending  from 
the  Plattf^  Hiver  on  the  south  to  the  (Canadian  border  on  tlie  north.  As 
th(!y  movfid  westward  they  ^?-adually  drove  heforo  them  the  Crow  Indians, 
formerly  a  very  jiowerful  trihe  who  claimed  all  the  country  as  far  as  the 
Black  Hills  on  the  east,  and  to  tlu^  mountains  on  the  ujiper  Yfdlowstone 
and  Mi^  Horn.  So  strong'  were  the  iJakotas  that  many  expeditions  had 
been  unavailinj/ly  made  a;;ainst  them.  One  was  made  by  freneral  Harney. 
Later  (ienerals  Sibley,  Sully,  I )od}^e,  Stanley,  and  others  in  turn  penetrated 


(iKNKI{AF<   NKf.SON   A.   MH.KS. 


VXi 


Uioir  country.  Yd  so  powerful  sind  iii«l<'|H'iMlciif  \v«'M'  tliey  tlijit  loii}/ 
alter  tluf  line  of  roiniiiiiiiicjit ion  lind  heen  e>tiil)li>lie«l  from  the  iiji[)er 
l'latt,<)  KivertotiK'  IJij,'  Horn  tliey  iniide  tlieir  |in»t«st.>  iij^'jiinst  tlieni  in  Ji 
very  vi<<or(»ns  way,  e>|»eeijilly  on  the  occ}i.>ion  of  rhe  l'or1  I'l'tferninn 
massaeie,  in  which  they  killed  ei;_'hty-fwo  olliceis  iind  men.  In 
accordjiricf;  with  tlieir  (lem}in«l.  tliiit  route  wiis  evcntniilly  j.'i\en  up.  iind 
the  Forts  j'liil  Kejirney  and  ('.  K.  Smith  were  aha  ndoned  iit  tlieir  dictation. 
Tin;  sendin;:^  out,  of  c«»mmissioiieis  representiri}/  the  j/overnment  to  nuike 
peace  with  them  resulted  in  the  treaty  of  ISOU,  in  which  the  j/overnment 
f^rarited  to  flu;  Indians  various  reservations  known  as  the  |{ed  (loud. 
Spottfid  Tail  and  otiieis  in  the  country  we>t  of  the  Missouri  Kiver.  in 
addition  to  these  I'eservations  they  were  also  allowed  a  lar^'e  rari^'e  of 
coiint.ry  as  Imntinj;  j^Mounds,  wliore  tlioy  were  to  he  permitted  to  rovo  at 
will  in  pursuit  of  game. 

This  treaty  was  partially  oh.served  hy  the  ^'overnment  fr)r  several  years 
but  it  cannot  he  claimed  that  it  was  very  ri^fidly  adhered  to.  This  re- 
sulted from  tlie  fact  that  during  thf;  years  iSTi},  '74  and  '7')  j^reat  (excite- 
ment prevailed  throii^dioiit  the  country  owinj,'  to  the  discovery  of  ^'oNI  in 
the  mineral  fields  of  what  i.s  now  known  as  South  Dakota,  and  there  vva.s 
^eat  clamor  on  tlu;  ])art  of  prospectin;^'  jtai-ties  to  Ix;  allowed  to  enter  that 
re;.?ion.  In  fact  surveys  were  hein^  pushed  throii^di  that  territory  for  the 
dilVerent  lines  of  railroad,  the  principal  on(!  heini^  tlif^  Northern  l'a(tilic, 
and  people  were  eaf^'erly  seeking'  opportunities  to  estahlish  colonies,  take 
up  lands,  opcm  min(es  and  estahlish  other  interests  in  that  country.  As  a 
mattfTof  fact  some  military  (ixjx'ditions  were  sent  into  the  territory  to 
explore  and  reconnoitre  with  a  vi(!W  of  discoverin<(  its  natural  resources. 
This  was  especially  the  case  in  '74  and  '7i>.  TIk!  country  was  at  that  time 
practically  overrun  hy  prosj»ectors  and  mine-hunters  throiij^h  the  rej^ion  of 
what  is  now  South  Dakota,  and  particularly  in  that  district  known  as  the 
Black  Hills. 

While  the  Indians  claimed  that  the  treaty  of  'OH  was  not  adhered  to  hy 
the  government,  neither  was  it  ohserved  hy  all  the  trihes  of  Indians. 
Whil(5  the  ^reat  chiefs.  Spotted  Tail,  IJed  Cloud  and  others,  kept  most  of 
their  people  on  the  reservations  and  carried  out  the  terms  of  the  treaty, 
yet  many  of  their  yf)unf;  men  would  cpjietly  steal  away  on  raidinj^  parties 
and  ^o  on  lon^'  expeditions  apiinst  the  Crr)W  Indians  and  the  MamJans,  or 
against  the  white  settlers  wherever  they  could  find  them. 

These  were  animated  and  encoura^'ed  hy  the  example  and  influence  of 
an  Indian  called  Crazy  Horse,  who  was  the  personification  of  .savage  ferocity. 

M— 12 


I 


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If   ll 


i 


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{■i 


t:t<: 


i 


Bi 


104 


rFK'SONAI.  HKCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


Thon«;h  comparatively  a  youn^'  man  ho  was  of  a  most  restless  and  adventur- 
ous disposition,  and  had  arrived  at  ;^'reat  renown  anionj;  the  warriors  even 
before  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  a^^e.  In  fact  he  had  heeome  the  war-chief 
of  the  southern  Sioux  and  the  recognized  leader  of  the  hostile  ()j<alallas. 
Those  Indians  oc<*uityin{<  the  country  still  farther  to  the  north  never 
made  any  i)retence  of  heinj^  a^'ency  Indians.  Sittinj^  liull  was  the  ex- 
ponent of  that  element.  From  his  youth  he  had  been  a  wild  and  restless 
warrior,  ccuistantly  yfettinj;  up  horse-steal injj;  expeditions 
and  campaigns  aj^ainst  the  friendly  Crow  and  Mandan 
Indians  and  against  the  whites  both  east  and  west,  'i'he 
latter,  whose  sparse  settlements  skirted  the  western  part 
of  Montana  on  the  west,  and  to  the  east  extended 
alony  the  extreme  western  borders  of  Minnesota 
and  eastern  l)ak(ita,  felt  the  etT(;ct  of  his  enter- 
prise and  never-endinj;  hatred.  He  would  rarely 
come  in  to  the  agencies  or  tradinjij  posts;  anti 
when  he  did  would  remain  only  the  short  time 
necessarv  to  trade  his  furs  for  rifles,  ammunition 
and  whatever  he  recpiired.  He  would  occasionally 
attack  even  his  favorite  tradinj^  places,  namely, 
the  trader's  store  near  Fort  IJuford  at  the 
U  B''  '"^PViilHIRBHI  ^^^^  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone,  and  the  one  at 
If . IH .  ^-IffrTni !lliBlBBi  Poplar  Creek  on  the   ^Hssouri.     He  would 

send  occasional  assurances  of  good  behavior,  and 
tlien  he  would  come  in  and  after  remaining  several 
hours  to  dispose  of  his  furs  and  roljes,  would  go 
away,  and  perhaps  as  he  went  turn  and  stampede 
the  herd  or  tire  a  volley  into  the  i)ost.  On  one  occasion  he  came  into  the 
trader's  post  near  Fort  liuford,  Dakota,  and  was  given  a  red  shirt  with  the 
suggestion  or  recpiest  that  when  he  came  for  war  he  would  wear  that  shirt 
in  order  that  the  trader,  w^ho  desired  to  be  considered  his  friend,  might 
know  what  his  purpose  was.  Sitting  Bull  accepted  it  with  the  remark  that 
"right  now  would  be  a  good  time  to  put  it  on."  He  did  so,  and  as  the  band 
went  out  after  completing  their  trading,  they  turned  and  tired  a  volley  into 
the  post.  They  occasionally  came  down  to  the  fort  and  drove  off  every- 
thing in  the  way  of  stock  that  was  not  gathered  betimes  within  the  pro- 
tection of  the  post  coiTal. 

The  sawmill  established  there  was  seized  by  them,  and  they  beat  the 
circular  saws  with  great  glee,  thereby  making  what  they  considered  music 


liKi)  C'i.(iri),  Siorv  (!iriHF. 


--^^ 


(iKNKlJAI.  NKLSON  A.  MII^KS. 


\% 


like  tliJit  of  tom-toms.  They  felt  very  secure  here,  herause  they  thou^'ht 
that  hy  being  in  possession  of  such  a  place  they  would  not  he  tired  upon. 
Hut  in  this  they  were  mistaken,  on  one  occasion  at  least,  for  a  piece  of 
artillery  was  trained  upon  them  iu  the  sawmill,  and  a  shot  sent  through 
it  killed  two  of  their  nieuk^ 

On  another  occasion  when  he  came  in  to  Poplar  Creek  store  with  (juite 
a  hand  of  warriors  to  trade,  he  took  occasion  to  complain  to  the  trader, 
Mr.  Tabor,  that  he  was  not  getting  enough  in  the  barter,    lie  then  jumped 


SlTTlNti    HlI.I,    AM)    TlllO    UkI)    SlIlKT. 

over  the  counter  and  immediately  took  charge  of  the  establishment  him- 
self in  the  most  threatening  manner,  and  to  the  great  delight  of  the 
stalwart  warriors  that  at  that  time  tilled  the  store.  He  then  proceeded  to 
hand  down  clothing,  ammunition  and  all  kinds  of  goods  and  receive  u.pon 
the  counter  buffalo  ro])es  and  fine  furs.  Then  the  Indians  had  to  ])arter, 
and  in  mimicry  and  derision  he  would  imitate  the  trader  in  minutely  ex- 
amining the  furs  and  finding  fault  with  their  ({uality,  complaining  that 
they  were  not  so  good  as  he  wanted,  putting  down  the  valuation  and  say- 
ing that  his  goods  were  so  choice  and  expensive  that  he  could  not  afford  to 
trade  on  any  other  terms.     After  going  through  the  whole  ceremony  of 


'M 


li 


I 


m^ 


1% 


PKI{S().\.\I.  UKCOM.KCTIONS  OF 


trsuliii^'.  Iiowcvcr,  tln>  liiial  result  wjis  tlisit  ciicli  Indian  received  a  much 
larger  ainouiit  fur  his  pelts  and  furs  than  he  was  in  the  hahit  of  doin^ 
when  the  [)ro|»rietor  was  occnpyin*,'  the  same  [losition.  This  niiinicry  was 
carried  on  to  the  extrciue  delectation  of  his  followers  and  amid  their  jokes 
and  Ki'iiids.  hut  the  trader  was  in  such  lerror  an<l  hot  ra|,'e  that  at  len^'th 
he  resorted  to  a  rather  novel  nutans  of  defense.  Anticipating'  that  on  theii 
de[)artur<»  they  would  either  slay  him  or  destroy  his  store,  and  possihiy 
hoMi,  he  determined  that  if  extreme  nu^asiires  wer<'  resorted  to  he  would 
hlow  up  the  entire  estahlislnnent.  lie  had  at  on(^  end  of  the  counter  a 
hir^e  open  kej^  of  |>owder,  from  which  he  was  accustomed  to  supply  the 
wants  of  his  customers,  lie  coolly  and  (juietly  tilled  a  larj;e  pipe  with 
tohacco  and  lighted  it,  and  stepped  over  and  took  his  position  hy  this  ke^ 
of  powder.  Then  he  told  the  interpreter  to  inform  the  Indians  that  if  any 
whootin^  was  he^un  or  any  violence  commenced,  he  would  empty  the 
lif^hted  pi[»e  of  tohacco  into  the  powder,  and  hlow  the  store,  and  all  the 
people  in  it.  into  the  air.  The  determination  depicted  on  liis  face  and  the 
seriousness  of  what  mij^ht  result  to  them  was  a  sut!i(Ment  vvarninjir  to  the 
Indians  to  continue  their  re  elry  in  a  cautious  manner,  tliouj^h  it  did  not 
immediately  end  the  humorous  phase  of  the  situation. 

Many  of  the  raids  and  maraudinj^  expeditions  were  not  of  such  a  hu- 
morous character  as  this,  hut  were  attended  with  the  terrihie  atrocities 

that  have  marked  the  history  of  tliat  frontier.  Trav- 
elers, settlers,  wood-choppers  and  others  along  the 
JMissouri  River  were  killed  in  consideral)le  numhers 
and  frequently  without  warninj^.  Men  were  often 
tortured  while  women  and  children  were  cari'ied  into 
captivity.  In  the  summer  of  1875  General 
Custer  conducted  an  explorinjjj  expedition  into 
the  Black  Hills.  It  w^as  followed  hy  an  expe. 
dition  under  General  Crook  against  the 
hostile  element  of  the  Sioux  Nation  in  the 
winter  of  1S75,  Starting  from  Fort  Laramie 
and  going  north  from  Fort  Fetterman,  his 
command  encountered  the  hostile  Indians 
under  Crazy  Horse  near  the  head  waters  of 
the  Tongue  River.  A  portion  of  his  com- 
mand under  the  gallant  General  Reynolds  surprised  Crazy  Horse  and 
captured  a  herd  of  horses,  but,  in  taking  them  south  they  were  over- 
taken by  a  territic  snowstorm,  during  which  the  Indians  followed  them 


Si'DTTKi)  Tail,  Skux  ("iiikf. 


(;knki{.\i,  nklson  a.  mii.ks. 


\\)1 


and  succeeded  in  stainpediiij;  tlie  licnl  dminj;  tln»  iii^'ht.  and  so  recaptured 
them,  tims  rendering  iiielTective  all  the  elTorts  of  the  campai^'U. 

ill  tlie  spring  of  ISTU  three  expeditions  were  ordered  into  that  country. 
One.  organized  at  Fort  Lincoln,  Dakota,  was  to  he  coniinanded  hy  Lieuten- 
ant-(.'olonel  and  Brevet  Major-deneral  (Jeor^'e  A.  Custer,  hut  was  after- 
ward placed  under  the  connnand  of  (Jeneral  Terry.  Another  was  or- 
^'anized  to  move  from  Fort  1).  A.  Kussell;  and  a  tiiird,  under  Colonel  and 
lirevet  Major-deneral  (Jihhon.  moved  down  the  Yellowstone  from  Fort 
FUis,  afterward  forminj^  a  junction  with  the  column  under  Cieneral  Terry 
and  that  under  (leiuM-al  Crook. 

The  command  un(U»r  (ieneral  Crook  first  encountered  the  Indians  under 
Crazy  Horse  near  the  l{osel)ud.  and  after  a  sharp  en^'aj;ement  it  moved 
hack  to  its  supply  camp  on  (Joose  Creek,  a  southern  trihutary  of  Tongue 
Kiver.  The  commands  of  (ienerals  Terry  and  (Jihhon  formed  a  junction 
near  the  mouth  of  Hu.^f  •  ..d  and  Yellowstone. 

As  the  connnand  of  (Jeneral  Terry  niovenl  from  Fort  Ahrahani  liincohi.  Da- 
kota, crossing?  the  Little  Missouri,  Powder  and  Tonj;ue  Hivers,  thence  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Hosehud  Hiver.  scouting;  the  country  to  the  south  and  west,  the 
main  trail  of  the  Indians  was  discovered  hetween  the  Tongue  Hiverand  the 
Kosehud.  (Jeneral  Terry,  thereupon,  divided  his  force,  sending  (Jeneral 
Custer  wdth  the  Seventh  Cavalry  up  the  Hosehud  :  and  with  the  renniinderof 
his  force  he  himself  moved  up  the  Yellowstone  and  Hi^  Horn  to  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Little  Big  Horn.  I  will  not  at  this  time  descrihe  the  various 
phases  of  General  Custer's  march,  hattle  and  tragic  death,  hut  will  return 
to  it  one  year  later  in  my  narrative ;  Jit  which  time  we  camped  on  the 
ground  and  made  a  thorough  examination  of  the  Held.  accomi)anie(l  hy 
twenty-five  of  the  principal  men  who  were  engaged  in  the  tight  on  the  side 
of  the  Indians. 


f ; 


"  I 


l| 


1- 

^1 

H 

jM 

1!).S 


TKUSONAI,  |{fc:(.'()|J,K(  TIONS  OK 


^1- 


LMi 


\' 

'  fa 
win 

i    !  • 

mn 

1 

1 

CIIAITMIJ  XV. 

TlIK    CrsTKK   Massacuk. 

A    Si  ii.iKcr    Mn  II     Misci  hsi:i> — A     l'iti;v  mi.i\<i     l';iiiiii\i:ni  s     Imi'kkssiov  —  Cm-imn    Ouih'Iiky'm 

!ST.vi'KMi:\r —  Tin:  ('iinci.i  siovs  nc  (ii:M;ii  \i.   Kuv  —  Tin;   Kminit  lU'  rMn:iii>TiMAriN<i  tiik 

FiiiicK    III'     I'lii;     Ivm:m\  — 'riii;    Arriiou's    Cuncmshins    am   I'li    ■iiii:    Caihi;    of 

Tin:      l>isAsii:it  —  Tin:     Facts     Si:t      Kuutii  —  IJkmi      anm     IIi:\ti;i:n, 

AMI       Tiii:iii       CiiMMwns      is      Cimkii's       L^sr      Hai'ti.i:. 

T  is  prultalilc  tlic  l»attlo  (m  tlio  Little  Hi}^'  Mom  in  uiiirli  si  part  of 
(iciicra!  ('iist"r*s  conmiaiul.  inchuliii}^'  hiiiist'lf,  was  dcstroytMl. 
5111(1  known  as  the  "Cnstor  Massacre."  has  lu»oii  more  disciisstMl. 
written  aliont  and  coninientod  npoii,  than  jiiiy  other  sinjjfle  en- 
j;a},'enient  hetween  white  troops  and  Indians  has  ever  been,  it 
was  a  terrible  alTair,  almost  a  national  disaster:  and  there  were 
some  most  remarkable  t'eatnres  connected  with  it.  The  loss  of 
two  hundred  and  sixty-two  men  under  snch  circumstances 
would  have  caused  a  very  searching  investigation  in  almost  any 
country,  and  it  is  strange  that  there  has  never  been  any  judicious  and  im- 
partial investigation  of  all  the  causes  that  led  to  that  disaster.  True, 
there  was  a  court  of  iiuiuiry  held  at  Chicago  some  months  after  the  affair 
occurred.  It  was  called  at  the  request  of  one  of  the  participants,  and  the 
cohclusion  was  reached  that  no  further  action  was  required. 

A  general  impression  hjis  gone  abroad,  and  to  some  extent  prevails 
throughout  the  country  to-day,  prejudicial  to  (Jeneral  Custer.  He  has 
been  accused  of  *  disobeying  orders,"  and  it  has  been  said  that  "he  had 
made  a  forced  niarch."  that  "  he  was  too  impatient."  that  '*  he  was  rash," 
and  various  other  charges  have  been  made,  equally  groundless  and  equally 
unjust,  and  all  started  and  promoted  by  his  enemies. 

It  is  known  that  there  were  two  sets  of  otticers  in  his  regiment,  one 
friendly  to  General  Custer,  and  the  other,  few  in  number,  bitterly  hostile 
to  him.  His  brothers  and  several  of  his  best  friends  died  with  him.  In 
fact,  all  that  could  have  been  known  of  the  purposes  and  influences  that 
governed  his  action  were  thus  lost,  as  none  of  his  immediate  command 
lived  to  explain  the  circumstances.     We  can  only  judge  of  what  prompted 


GKNKItAL  NKLSON   A.  MII.KS. 


VM) 


his  course  of  luococlmv  l»y  what  In*  diil  jutn  ionsly.  and  l»y  tlu'  tj'stimoiiy 
of  tho  Indians  who  wen*  o|>|H»s('d  to  him. 

i  liavc  no  paticnco  witii  those  who  would  ki<'l\  a  dead  lion.  It  is  nio^t 
rcMnarkahio  tiiat  .s(»  little  was  known  of  the  nuinlicr  and  character  of  the 
Indians  then  opp(»sed  to  the  I  nited  States  fitiees. 

Sixteen  years  after  the  aflair  occnrred.  Captain  K.  S.  (Jodfrey.  Seventh 
United  States  Cavalry,  an  e.xperienced  and  },Mllant  ollieer.  wrote  an  inter- 
esting^ and  <'andid  aiM'ount  of  tiie  alTair.  in  whirh  he  was  «hm' of  the  par- 
ticipants, which  was  pnhlished  in  the  '"Centnry  Ma^'a/ine"  foi- .lannary, 
iStl'J.  Aci'oinpanyinj;  that  article  was  a  three-pap',  hne-print  article  over 
the  si^'natnre  of  .lames  H.  Fry.  (ieneral  I' ry,  since  deceasj'd.  was  at  th<» 
time  of  this  pnhlication  an  (»nicer  of  the  army  of  \u^\\  standing'  and  repu- 
tation, and  reco^Mii/ed  as  a  j;ood  anthority  npon  all  military  matters. 
Stndents  of  that  (ampai^n  will  he  well  repaid  for  reading;  and  stndying 
these  two  articles.     In  the  (►ne  by  (Ieneral  Fry,  on  paj^e  IIS"),  he  .says: 

'■Ca|itiiiii  (i(Klfrt>\ '»<  artici*'  is  a  valual)lt'  cnntrilxit  ion  to  tin-  jititlit-iitir  liistorv  of  the 
uuiiipaiirii  wliicli  culiiiinatt'd  in  'CuHttT's  I-ast  IJattic."  .lime  17).  |S7'V. 

**Tlm  Sioux  war  of  IN7(^orii,'iiiaft'(l  in  a  rt'(|Ut>st  by  tin-  Indian  liiircau  tlial  cortain  wild 
and  rocak'itraiit  bands  of  Indians  sliould  l)i'  conipt'ili'd  to  settle  down  upon  tlieir  reserva- 
tions under  control  of  tlie  Indian  ai^ent.  Sitting'  Jiuli.  on  the  Little  Missouri  in  Dakota, 
und  Crazy  Horse,  on  I'owcier  IJiver.  Wyoniiny,  were  [iractieallv  the  leaders  of  the  hostih' 
Indians  who  roamed  over  what  (jJeneral  Sheridan  called  "an  almost  totally  unknown  re- 
gion, comprisiufj^  an  area  of  almost  5M).(MM>  sipuire  miles.*  The  hostile  camps  uontuiiu'd 
ei^ht  or  ten  separate  bands,  each  liaviui^  a  chief  of  its  own. 

"Authority  was  exercised  by  a  council  of  chiefs.  No  chief  was  endowed  with  supreme 
authority,  but  Sitting  Bull  was  accepted  as  the  leader  of  all  his  bands.  From  five  hini- 
dred  to  cij^ht  hundred  warriors  was  the  most  the  military  authorities  thoui^ht  the  liostiles 
could  muster.  Sittiiifr  Hull's  camp,  as  Custer  found  it,  contained  sonu*  eijfht  or  ti'u  thous- 
and men,  women,  and  children,  and  about  twenty-five  hundre<l  warriors,  indudinir  boys, 
these  last  beiiiir  armed  with  bows  and  arrows.  The  nu'u  had  ^kkI  firearms,  many  of 
them  Winchester  rifles,  with  a  lartfe  su]>plv  of  anununition. 

"War  upon  this  savaire  f»)rce  was  authorized  by  the  War  ])e]»artnu'nt,  and  was  eon- 
ducted  under  the  direction  of  I.ieuteiuint-(Jeneral  Sheridan  in  Chicajro. 

"The  cumpaitrn  o])ened  in  the  winter,  (ieneral  Sheridan  thiidciiiif  that  was  the  season 
in  which  the  Indians  could  b»'  'causrht.'  He  directed  (Jeiieral  Terry  to  send  a  mounted 
column  under  Custer  ai^ainst  Sittinij  Bull,  and  (ieneral  Crook  to  move  ai^ainst  Crazy 
Horse.  Bad  weather  ])revented  (\ister*s  movement,  but  Oook  advancecl  March  1.  On 
March  17,  he  struck  Crazy  Horse's  band,  was  partially  defeated,  and  the  weather  beinij 
very  severe,  returned  to  his  base.  The  rei)ulse  of  Crook's  column,  and  the  inability  of 
Custer  to  move,  ijave  the  Indians  confidence,  and  warriors  by  the  hundred  slipped 
away  from  the  ai;encies  and  joined  the  liostiles. 

"In  the  spriuiT  Sheridan's  forces  resunied  the  offensive  in  three  isolated  columns.  The 
first  column,  under  Crook — consisting  of  fifteen  companies  of  cavalry  and  five  companies  of 


1  I 


I    ! 


;!; 


ill 


Ul 


200 


PKIfSON  \l,   I.'KCOI.LKCTIOXS  OK 


''■■  Hi' 


iiil'iiiitrv  (l"l;il  KUll)  iiiiircliiMl  rmrl  liuiinl  \'r<i\u  l-'orl  KctlcniiJiii  Miiv  '."••.  'I'lic  si-coihI  coI- 
iitnii.  iiinli'r<  iciii'Ciil  Tcrfv  cuiisisl  iiiy'  ol'  ilic  cntiic  St-vciitli  ( 'ii  \iilr\ .  t  wrlxc  coiniiiiMirsfiilMMM 
(WH)  riirii)  ;  six  r<iMi|)jiiiii's  ol'  lril':iiilr\,  llii'cf  ul'  tijriii  on  llir  siiii|il\  sti-:itiiliii:il  (  |(IU  iiii-n)  ;  ii 
l)i(llrr\'  of  (liiiliiio'  i^iiris  iri;iniic(|  1>\'  iiir;iiil  r\'iMrii.  iiimI  I'ort  v  I  iidiiin  scouts  iiioscd  wcsl- 
\v;ir<l    fr-oiM   h'ort   A.  I  ,iiicolii,  on  ||i)>  Missouri,    Miiy    17. 

"It  liii|>|iriii'(|  tliiit  wliili'  till'  i-\  iii'ililiori  w:is  lii-iiio'  lilti'd  out,  ( 'iistiT  UM\vittiuo'l\'  iu- 
I'lirri'il  till*  (lis|ili-iisui'i-  III'  rn-siili'iil  (iriinl,  svlio  iliii'i'ti-iltliiit  ( 'usli-r  slioiilii  not  iircouniiiiiv 
till'  roliimti.  'riii-oiio||  liis  ii|i|ii>iil  to  till-  I'l'i'siili'rit  iiml  tin-  iiitiTi'i'ssion  ol  'I'iti-v  :imiI 
Slirfiihiii.  (  'iisti't  s\;is  |ii'ruiitti'i|  io  no  in  rouiuuiuil  of  llir  ri'oiuii'iit.  liiit  'I'lTrN'  Wiis  ii'iiuiri-d 
to  ;i  ''oiu|ij|fiv  iiud  roMllUiilld  tlir  i'oIiimiii.  'i'ri'l'V  Wils  our  of  till'  lii-st  of  lui'U  iiud  illilrst  of 
soldiiTs.  Iiiit  liiid  no  I'X |ii'fii'uri'  in   ludiiiu  wjicfiiri'. 

•'A  lliird  roluuiu  uiidiT  ( ii'iHTid  ( iililion  (( 'oloui-l  of  I  ufiiul  I'v  )  I'unsist  ino'  of  four  coni- 
|iiiuii'S  of  ('ii\;ilr\  iiud  six  roui|iiinii's  of  iuf:iulr\  (ITiO  uii-ii  iill  told),  lUiirclii-d  riisl  uiiid  in 
A|iril.iiiid  uiiiti'd  with 'I'l'iTV  on  tin'  \  I'llowsloui',  .liinr  'jl.  Wlnui  tlirsr  i-oluuins  stiirti-d 
tlii'\  wrri'  idl  soini-  two  or  tlin-i-  liuudri'd  uiili's  from  tin-  ci-iitrid  itositioii  ocrniiii'd  Ity  tin* 
i'iii'iu\.  (iilil)on  w;is  uiidi'i'  'I'l'i  r\  "s  foiMrol,  liul  ( 'i-oo|\  iind  'I'l'iTy  W'r'i'  indi'iii'udiuit  of 
i';ii'li  otliiT. 

"'I'lir  iiutlioiit ii's  l(i'lii'\i'il  lliiit  I'illii'i' oiic  of  till'  tlii'iT  i-oliiiiius  i-oidd  di'fi'iit  tlii'i'ni'niy 
if  it  •r;iuo|it  "  liiiii;  ol  liiTwisr  isoliitrd  forri's  would  uol  liiivi-  iii'i-u  srut  to  '  oiii-i'iiti'  liliiidiv,' 
willioiit    ini'iiiis  of  iiintiiid  su|i|ioi-t.  iioiiinst  iin  i'iii'Ui\     in    tin-    inti'i'ior    of   ;in  tduiost     totiilly 

nnluiown   i'i'i.''i'>ii-       lud I  tii'iinid    Slu'ruuiu    s;iid     in    liis  olliciid   ri'|ioi-|    of    |S7<i;     '  '    ['    l<> 

till'  iiioini'iit  of  (  'iistrrs  di'li'iit  tlirir  \\;is  nolliiun'.  olliriiil  or  |iri\iili',  to  justif\  iin  odiccr  to 
i'X|M'i'l  tiiiit  ;iu\  i|i'l;irliiui'nt  wmdd  rm'oiiiiti'i'  inori'  tliiiii  (i\i'  liiindi'i'il  oi-  I'iolii  liuudri'd 
wjiriiors."  Till'  :i|i|ii'iii'iinri'  of  twriilv  li\r  liuudri'd  Io  tliiTr  tlioiisand  in  tin-  ( 'iislri'  lliiit, 
(ii'liiTld  Slirriiiii  i|  ildds  :  •Jllliouutrd  Io  ;i  di'UloiisI  rill  loll  lli:i|  tlir  Ifoops  Wrlr  di'idino  not. 
onl\  witli  tl;  Imstili's  rsliuiiitrd  ill  from  li\i'  liuudri'd  to  rinlit  Imndri'd.  Init  witli  tin-  ii\iiil- 
iil)li'  iiiirt   of  llii'  iini'nc\-   jiidiiins,  wlio  liiul  oour  mil   to  lii'lji  llii'ir   fi-inids  in  ii   lio'lit." 

*•'!  Ill'  ullrr  I'.iiliii,  i>f  our  riim|iiM'jii  wiis  dni-  to  iiudrri'st  iiiiiil  ino'  tin-  niiiiiiii'is  iind  iirow- 
fss  ol  till'  riii'im.  'i'lii'  slri'untli  In-  wiis  found  to  |iossi'ss  |ii-o\i'd.  iis  (imi'iiil  Slii'rmnn 
siiid  in  li.s  I'l'iiort,  tlmt  tlir  i'iim|iiii!_'u  Imd  lii-i'ii  |iliiuni'd  on  u  lonn-  |iri'misi'S.  I  imu  tliis 
|toi?it  (iil)lion  siiid:  •  \\  lini  lln'sr  \iirious  liiinds  surri-i-di'd  in  lindino'  ii  li-iidrr  who  possrss- 
I'd  liict.  roiiriior,  iind  iil>ilil\  to  I'onci'iil  mil-  iind  Ui'i-ii  lonrthcr  so  hirnr  ii  forri-.  it  wiis 
oril\  ii  ijiii'stiou  of  timr  wlii'ii  oni'  or  ihr  olhrr  of  till'  rxti'iior  roliinins  would  mri't  willi 
ii  rhi'ck   fi'oui  till'   o\  i'i-wlii'luiiiio-  niimlii-rs  of  ihi-  iiili-rioi'  l)od\." 

"Tlir    liisl   ri'sult   Wiis  thill   ( 'rooli's  roluuin  I'nronuti'ri'd    ll iii'iny,  .1  uiif     17,    iiiid    wuh 

so   l)iidl\     di'fi'iiti'd    thiuf  it    Wiis  nriirt  irii  1 1  \    out   of  ihr  riiui|iii  i^' u." 

Ill  I  lie  iiltoNc  cxlrjud  (iciiCi'iil  l''ry  shows  l»\  shiit'iiiciils  iiiii(l«'  l»y  lliciii- 
s('l\('s  I  hill  iicil  lirr  <  ic  lie  rill  Sliciiiinii,  roiiiiiiiiii<liii;^f  t  lie  ;iniiy,  nor  ( iciicriil 
Slu'ridiiii.  <'()mniiiii(liii<i'  llic  iiiilihiry  <li\isi(»ii,  wiis  iiwiirc  ol"  (lie  loriiiidiililn 
cliiirin'ior  !»l'  tln'  lioslilr  force.  ;iii(|  ('tiitliiiii  (lodj'rcy  in  his  slwlcnicnl  siiys 
JliJil  (icncriil  ('iislcr;!  lew  (l;iys  iHd'orc  I  he  li^iht,  in  :i  coiiiK'il  with  his  olli- 
ccrs  ii(l\  iscdl  hciii  lliiil  Iroin  the  hrsl  iiil'oriiiiil  ion  he  could  oldiiin  Ihcy 
would  not  li:i\c  Io  niccl  iiior(>  lliiin  one  I  lioiis;iiid,  or  iit  llic  iiiii  xiiniiin, 
lirtccn    hiiiidrcd    lioslilcs.     These   shileiiieiils   slntw    lliiil    our    troops  were, 


•uikI  fol 
il'S  (illiollt 

I  iiii'ii) ;  ii 
K'd   wcst- 

iiij^lv  iii- 
'ri>iii|iaii  V 

'cITV      1111(1 

i  i'r(|inrf(| 
ill.lrsi    ul" 

Iniii'  I'OIll  - 
sivsiird  ill 
IIH  sliirti'd 
I'd  \,\    die 

CMllcllI     of 

III-  cm'iiiv 

•  iiiiiMiiv'; 

>st  lolidiv 
:  •  I  |.  lo 
1  ollircr  (() 
It  liiiiidr*'<l 
s(iT  lioli), 
•II I  inn  Moi 
dif  :iv:iil- 
I).' 
and  |ti<(\v- 

I     SIllTllliill 

I  '|iiiii  lliis 

Ml    IMISSCSS- 

I'c.    it    was 
iiMM't   with 

',    and    waH 


>y  t  Ih'Iii- 
iiiiidiililf^ 

K'lll    SilVS 

I  Ills  oHi- 

;iiii  IIm'V 
iixiiiiiiiii. 
I»|IS    wcic. 


ii 


GENERAL  GEGKGE  A.  CUSTER. 


^->%. 


KI{1«.'  !' 


'^'^ 


GENEliAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


2m 


entirely  without  knowlecljj^e  of  the  stren<;th  of  the  enemy,  and.  as  General 
Sheridan  states,  operating  in  an  almost  totally  unknown  region.  A  fact 
still  more  remarkable  is  that  they  were  oiterating  on  exterior  lines  without 
any  positive  concert  of  action  or  direct  communication. 

In  the  Hrst  affair  with  the  Sioux,  previously  alluded  to.  General  Crook 
met  with  so  serious  a  repnlse  that  on  the  following  day  he  commenced  his 
retreat  back  to  his  base  of  supplies,  eighty  miles  distant,  and  remained 
there  until  several  weeks  later,  when  he  was  reinforced  by  (ieneral  Merritt. 
If  the  two  commands  of  Crook  and  TeiTy  had  been  acting  in  concert  they 
could  have  nnited.  as  they  were  not  more  than  forty  or  Hfty  miles  ai)art 
at  the  time.  So  apparent  was  this  want  of  knowledge  of  the  strength  of 
the  enemy  that  even  when  General  Terry's  force  came  together  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Kosebnd.  he  felt  it  safe  to  divide  it  again,  and  send  General 
Custer  up  the  Rosebud,  and  with  the  remainder,  including  the  column 
under  (Jeneral  (Ubbon  and  a  battery  of  Gatling  guns,  he  himself  moved  up 
the  Yellowstone  and  Big  Horn  to  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Big  Horn. 

As  to  what  the  understanding  was  when  the  two  commands  separated, 
the  best  evidence  is  the  written  order  of  battl  \  and  it  cannot  be  disputed, 
or  gainsaid,  or  misconstrued.  The  nature  of  such  an  order  must  be  regarded 
as  absolute.  It  is  like  the  constitution  of  a  State  or  the  fundamental  law 
of  a  community.  The  order  in  question  was  given  in  very  plain  language, 
as  follows : 

Cami'  at  Morrn  of  Roskiud  Kivkk,  ) 

-Montana  Tkiikitouv.  .luiic  ti"-*nd,  1876.  \ 

LlKlTKXANT-Col.OXKL  Cl'STEK,  Seveiltll  CilVillrV. 

Ci>i.()N'Ki,  :-  The  lirigadier  Gi'iieiiil  (•oiiinuuKliiig  directs  that,  as  soon  as  your  regiment 
can  be  made  ready  for  tlie  march,  you  will  j)roceed  u|>  the  Kosebud  in  pursuit  of  the 
Indians  \yhose  trail  was  discovered  by  Major  Heuo  a  few  days  since.  It  is,  of  course,  im- 
possible to  give  you  any  definite  instructions  in  regard  to  this  movement,  and  were  it  not 
impossible  to  do  so  the  Department  Connuander  j)laces  too  much  conddence  in  your  zeal, 
energy  and  ability  to  wi'-li  to  impose  upon  \■^n\  pret'ise  orders  whii'h  mi<rht  liam])er  your 
action  when  nearly  in  contact  with  the  enemy,  lie  will,  however,  indicate  to  you  his  own 
views  of  what  your  action  should  l)e.  and  he  desires  tiiat  yo»i  should  conform  to  them 
unless  you  shall  see  sufficient  reason  for  departiiiir  frou;  them.  He  thinks  that  you  should 
])roceed  up  the  Kosebud  until  you  ascertain  definitely  the  direction  in  which  the  trail 
above  spoken  of  leads.  Should  it  be  found  (as  it  ajipears  almost  certain  that  it  will  be 
found)  to  turn  towards  the  Little  Horn,  he  thinks  that  you  should  proceed  southward,  per- 
haps as  far  as  the  headwaters  of  the  Tongue,  and  then  turn  towards  the  Little  Morn,  feidiug 
constantly,  however,  to  your  left,  so  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  the  escape  of  the  In- 
dians to  the  south  or  southeast  by  passing-  around  your  left  flank.  The  cohnnn  of  Colonel 
Gibbon  is  now  in  motion  for  the  mouth  of  the  ]V\<y  Horn.  As  soon  as  it  reaches  that  poi;.'. 
it  will  cross  the  Yellowstone  and  move  up  at  least  as  far  as  the  forks  of  the  Big  and  Little 


I! 
^1 


if! 


II 

ii,!: 

M<   I 


If! 


m 


204 


I'KUSONAI,   KKCOM.KCTIONS  OK 


lldriiH.  Of  <M)iirHt'  its  fiitiitf  irMtvfiiictits  iiinsl  lie  controllfl  l)v  ('ircinnHtiinct's  uh  tlicy 
iirisr,  l>u(  il  is  li<)|i('(l  tliiit  tlit-  Imliiiiis,  ii'  ii|i)iii  (In-  hilllt-  llorti,  iiiav  Ix- so  iirarlv  ciicIhsimI 
liy  til)'  twn  i-oliiiiiris  that  tlit-ir  <'Sca|M'  will  lit>  iiii|iossil)li>. 

'riic  I  )c|iartiiii'nt  ( !iniiMiaii(ltT  ilcsircs  that  on  vmr  way  ii|>  th:'  KoscNikI  you  should 
thoroujrhly  i-xauiini'  the  U|)|MT  |iart  of  'rullorh's  ( 'icrk,  aud  that  \ou  should  t-ndfavdr  to 
sriid  a  scout  tlirouirh  to  ( !oioMf-l  (^1)1x^1^  <-o|uimu.  with  iiil'orinatioii  of  tli<-  result,  of  vour 
cxairiiuatioii.  'I'hf  lower  part  of  this  creek  will  l)e  exauiined  l)\  a  detaehiMeiit  from  ( 'oloiiel 
( iihlxiMs  coininaiid.  TIm- su|i|ily  strauier  will  l)e  pushed  u|)  the  liiir  llorti  as  far  as  the 
forks  if  the  river'  is  found  to  lie  uasio'aMe  for  that  <listaM<"e.  and  the  I  )e|iartnient  ('oiii- 
rMaiider.'who  will  accornpaiiN  the  eolurun  of  ( !o|oiie|  ( iihliou,  desires  \<»u  to  repoi't  to  hiui 
there  Mot  later  than  the  exjiiration  <if  the  time  for  wliieh  \our  troojis  are  rati(»iie<l.  unless 
in  the  meantinu-  you  receive  Turther  orders.      Very  resjieetfully. 

\()Ur  ohedieni    ser\illlt, 

K.    W.    Smiiii. 
('aplain  1'iii.diteenth  Infantry,  Actiiii,''  Assistant  Adjutant  (ieneral. 

II  will  \u'  ol>s('r\«'<l  tliJit  (iciM'fjil  ('lister  vviis  dirt'ctc*!  to  iim»\('  iiptlu* 
|{<>s<-l»ii(l  ill  /tiirsid/  (A'  tlic  liidijiiis.  The  iicxi  sciitciicc,  it  will  Ik^  noticed, 
l(^;ives  no  (|iie,stion  tliiit  it  w;is  expectcMl  tli;i,t  liis  (•oniniiiiid  would  come 
iti  nnifiicl  with  the  Indiiins;  iiiid  surely  wImmi  this  coinniiiiid  Wiis  directed 
to  move  Ity  51  <'<nirse  in  wliicli  they  would  l»(^  |)lii('ed  from  forty  to  lifty 
nlil(^s  distjint  fr(»m  }iny  other,  confidence  was  n^posed  in  the  knowledj^'e, 
/eal,  iMid  jihility  of  the  commii,!id(W  i,o  exerciser  his  hest  jiid^Miient.  It  is 
folly  to  sii|>pos(^  tliiii  eitluM'  ii  small  or  a.  la.r^e  hand  of  Indians  would 
i'(MnaJii  stationary,  a.nd  allow  on((  hody  of  troops  to  come:  up  on  oik^  sid(? 
of  it  while  another  body  ca.me  up  on  the  otluM'  si<l(^  and  r\\\i^\\\i,i'.  it  in  hattle. 
It    is   fair  to  ^ive  tlu^   Indians  cnMJit,  foi-  a  re-isomihle  Jimoiint of  intelli- 


\fo\\viy. 


Af^'ain,  when  (/iist(M's  command  was  ordered  to  mov(^  out  as  it  did,  it 
h^ft  t,h(^  Indians,  who  we:re  a,ctin}:j  on  intcu'ior  liiKvs,  absolutely  in^i',  to 
attack  eitlnu'  <nie  <d'  the  commands  thus  separated,  or  li;^dit  them  in  detail 
as  nii^lit  he  preferrcMl.  IJiit  we  lutve:  |)ositiv<^  (ivid(mc(!  in  the?  form  of  an 
a,llida\'it  of  the  last  witiu^ss  who  heai'd  the  two  ollicei's  in  convei'sation 
to^c^ther  on  the  ni^ht  l>el"o»e  their  commands  si^paratcMJ,  and  it  is  conclu- 
sive on  th(^  point  at  issue.  This  evidence  is  thai  (Jenera.l  Terry  returned 
to  (i(Mieral  ('lister's  te;nt  after  ^ivin^  him  the  final  ord(M',  to  say  to  him  that 
on  coming'  up  to  the  Indians  \\{\  would  liav(^  to  iis(^  his  own  disc^retion  and 
do  whai  he  tlioii;.,dit  hest.  This  conversation  occnrrfMj  al  tln^  month  of  the 
Uosehiid.  and  the  exact  words  of  (ieneral  Terry,  as  tpioted  l»y  th(^  witness 
ar<' : 

"Custer.  I  do  not  know  what  t(»  say  for  the  last." 
Custer  r(»[)lied:  "Say  what  yon  want  to  say." 


i'  : 


(;i<:nki:ai,  nki.son  a.  .miij':s. 


L'O") 


TfU'ry  Hiciisiii*!:  "  I  sc  your  own  jiMl^'iiiciit,  jiimI  «lo  wliiit  yon  think  Ix'st  if 
yonstrikr  tlu'  t  mil  :  ;mi<1  u  liiiti'vcr  yoiidftjiistcr.  Intl<l  on  toyonr  wonndcd." 

This  wjis  ii  most  rcjisoniihlc  convrrsiil  ion  lor  the  two  olliccrs  nndci'  the 
<•i^(•unlstJln<•(^s,  One  IumI  won  {^Mcnt  (list  inct  ion  iis  Ji  ^'ciicral  in  the  civil 
wjir;  WJIS  iin  iihlc  hiwyci'  iin<l  (h'|iiirt- 
nirnt  coniniiMMlcr.  yet  cnl  i rely  wit  hont 
('X|)(M'i«Mir(' in  Indiiin  ciiniicii^Mis.  TIk! 
other  Inid  won  ^Mciit  distinction  Jis 
one  of  the  most  ;4:ill:int  iind  skilU'nl 
division  i'oniniiiiidci's  ol"  ciivjilry  dur- 
ing the  wwr,  roniiniindiii)/  one  ol'  the: 
most  sn<'c»'sstnl  divisions  ol'  nioMnt«!d 
troops  ;  he  liiid  y«'iirsol'  »'X|)<M'irn('«' »)n 
the  pliiins  ;ind  in  liiindlin;^  troops 
in  tliiit  remote  connt  ry,  :ind  he  hiul 
l'on{.dit  sevenil  sli;irp  en^'iiKenKMits 
with  hostile  Indiiins. 

As  the  eominjind  of  the  Seventh 
('{iviilry  moved  out,  npwjirds  of  six 
hundred  strong,  tlui  lejuler  wjis  fully 
('onlid(Mit  tlijit  he  WJIS  jihle  tocope  with 

Jiny  hody  of  Indijiiis  tlutt  they  were  likely  to  encoiint(M',  Jind  iill  were  in 
the  Ix^st  of  spirits  jtt  th<'  prosjtect  of  ji  vij^orons.  jtnd  wluii  tJiey  helieved 
would  1)0  Ji.  successful  cjiinpjii^n.  Moving  up  tlx'  Kosjduid  until  he  struck 
iJuMnjiin  trji.il,  then  following' this  up  to  the  divide  sepjinitin^' the  Uoho- 
l)ud  from  the  liittle  iJij;  Horn,  jind  on  to  the  |ji,tt«M-  strejirn,  it  is  fjiir  to  be- 
lieve tliJit  fromth(^  reports  he  i-eeeivcfl  <'ust(U'  fejired  tluit  the  iii<lijiiis 
mij^ht  niJik(^  Mumi"  escjipe  without  his  Ikmiij;  Jihh^  to  hrin^tluMn  to  jui  (;n- 
f^ji}4(Mnent. 

The  fiict  of  his  slow  nuirches  indicntes  his  cure  Jind  judiciousness  in  ^o- 
in^  from  the  mouth  of  thelfosehnd  to  t he  Itiitt lelield  on  the  Little  lii^ 
Horn.  The  first  djiy's  nuirch  vvjis  only  four  hours,  or  tw(dve  miles  in  dis- 
tjince.  'i'lu^  second  (l<iy,.Iiiiie  2.'{,  thirty-thn^*^  miles  or  twelve  hour's  nuirch, 
with  lon^  liJilts  for  the  pur|»ose  of  exiiminin^'  tniils.  jil»jindone<l  cjinips.  iiikJ 
evideiKMvs  of  the  j)reseiM'e  of  in<liiins.  The  third  djiy.  the  21t  h.  twelve  hours 
nuirch  or  tvventy-ei<f|it  miles.  The  nij^dit  of  t  Im^  2M  h.  between  ll:ot)  Jind 
th(^  !noniin^'  of  the  2')tli.  he  move(l  ten  miles  in  order  to  conceiil  his  move- 
ments juid  position  from  the  enemy.  On  the  moriiin;^'  of  the  "i'ltli. 
hotvveen  oij^'ht  Jiiid  ten,  he  move(l  ten   miles,   litter  lifteen;  in   iill   H)S  miles 


(  >i:m-.I!  M,  'l'i;nuv's  liVsr  Onru;i(  th  (Jihtkk. 


I     ; 


;'l  ', 


'.ll 


r.,  n 


ll 


1:1 


;'1  ' 


mi 

I-: 


206 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


in  four  days.  During  these  four  thiys,  he  freciuently  called  his  ofticers  to- 
gether and  counseled  with  them;  in  fact  his  directions  amounted  almost 
to  an  appeal.     They  were  pathetic. 

Captain  (iodfrey  says  that  (leneral  Custer  stated  that  with  the  regi- 
ment acting  alone  there  would  he  harmony,  hut  acting  with  another  or- 
ganization there  might  he  j<'al()usy ;  that  the  marches  would  he  from 
twenty-five  to  thirty  miles  per  day  ;  and  that  officers  were  cautioned  to 
hushand  the  su])plies  and  strength  of  their  commands ;  on  another  occa- 
sion, that  tliey  must  act  together  and  not  hecome  sejiarated ;  again,  he  in- 
formed them  that  the  trail  led  over  the  divide,  and  that  he  was  anxious  to 
get  as  near  the  divide  as  possihle  hefore  daylight,  where  the  command 
could  he  concealed  during  the  day.  and  give  ami)le  time  for  the  country  to 
he  studied  ■  that  he  expected  to  tight  on  the  2(>th. 

With  a  large  cavalry  c(/mmand  like  that  moving  over  a  dry  and  dusty 
country,  it  was  next  to  impossihle  to  conceal  it.  Any  movement  of  the 
scouts  or  of  the  conmumd  was  liahle  to  he  (piickly  discovered  by  the  enter- 
prising enemy.  Not  only  did  (General  Custer  receive  reports  of  the  exact 
locality  of  the  Indian  camp,  but  he  also  discovered  through  more  than  one 
source  that  the  Indians  were  aware  of  the  presence  of  the  trooi)s.  This 
undoul)tedly  caused  him  to  nu)ve  against  them  on  the  25th  to  jjrevent  if 
possible  their  escape,  as  he  evidently  expected  that  they  would  make  such 
an  attempt,  and  had  they  succeeded  he  would  have  l)een  severely  censured. 
iJut  whatever  impression  of  this  nature  Custer  may  have  been  under,  he 
decided  to  make  the  attack  during  the  forenoon  of  the  "ioth. 

He  formed  his  conunand  in  three  columns,  moving  parallel  to  each 
other  and  practically  in  line.  He  took  position  himself  on  the  right,  with 
five  troops  of  cavalry.  Reno  was  directed  to  follow  the  trail  with  three 
troops  and  attack  the  village.  Benteen  with  three  troops  was  to  move  on 
the  extreme  left.  Custer's  object  undoubtedly  being  to  attack  in  this  form, 
which  allowed  sufficient  space  between  the  columns  for  the  deployment  of 
the  three  comnuinds.  and  yet  w^ould  not  prevent  their  acting  in  concert. 

In  moving  out  from  the  valley  of  the  Kosebud.  over  the  divide  to  the 
valley  of  the  Little  Hig  Horn,  it  Avas  fair  to  presume  that  the  presence  of 
the  command  would  have  been  discovered  by  the  Indians,  and  he  may 
have  thought  that  if  he  did  not  attack  them,  they  would  make  their  escape 
without  waiting  to  hud  themselves  placed  between  two  forces,  or,  very 
naturally,  with  their  entire  force  would  attack  him. 

On  a])pi-oacliing  the  Little  Big  Horn.  Custer  followed  the  trail  down  a 
small    tributary  of  that  stream.     It  was  long  afterward  learned  that  a 


tiENEliAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


207 


lar^e  liody  of  Sioux  wairiois  liad  returned  from  their  encounter  with 
General  Crook's  foniniaiid  on  the  Kosehnd,  .lune  17,  over  this  trail,  thus 
making  it  a  fresh  one  and  possibly  givin<;  Custer  the  impression  that  the 
Indian  camp  was  movin<^.  The  Indians  state  as  a  reason  for  their  failure 
to  discover  the  ai»i>roach  of  Custer's  command  until  it  was  upon  their 
camp,  that  they  had  been  all  tlu*  ni<^dit  lu-evious  to  the  battle  celebrating 
what  they  claimed  was  a  successful  encountei"  with  the  troops  on  the 
l{osel)ud.' and  were  conse(|uently  sleeping  late  in  the  forenoiui.  Custer  un- 
doubtedly expected  to  iind  their  camp  at  the  junction  of  the  Little  liig 
Horn  with  the  small  creek  down  which  he  was  following  the  trail,  and 
made  hisdispositicm  accordingly  by  moving  the  three  l)attalions  of  his  reg- 
iment in  parallel  columns. 

Custer's  order  to  ]\'ajor  Reno  to  move  forwai-d  on  the  trail  and  attack 
the  village,  and  that  he  would  be  supported  by  the  othei"  battalions,  was  a 
proper  command,  and  did  not  imply  that  the  supports  would  follow  im- 
mediately in  his  footsteps.  An  attack  by  the  battalion  on  his  right  or  on 
his  left  or  by  both  simultaneously,  would  be  the  most  effective  support  he 
could  have  had. 

As  these  battalions  were  moving  forward  into  action  Custer  rode  forward, 
well  in  advance  with  the  scouts,  and  ascending  a  high  butte  where  he 
could  overlook  the  valley,  discovered  that  the  Indians,  instead  of  being 
encamped  at  the  junction  of  the  Little  Big  Morn  and  the  creek  down 
which  Reno  was  moving,  had  moved  down  the  left  bank  of  the  Little  Big 
Horn  and  camped  two  miles  below  the  junction.  Here  it  was  that  he 
changed  the  order  in  the  disposivion  of  his  troops  l)y  sending  a  courier  to 
his  left  column,  commanded  hy  Captain  Benteen,  with  a  despatch  contain- 
ing these  words.  "Come  on.  Big  village.  Be  qui^'k.  Bring  packs. "  The 
last  referring  to  the  pack-train  that  was  following  a  short  distance  behind 
the  command  escorted  by  one  troop  and  having  the  reserve  ammunition. 
As  he  sent  no  despatch  to  Reno  to  change  his  movements,  he  evidently 
expected  that  officer  to  follow  the  trail  and  attack  as  he  did  in  accordance 
with  the  then  existing  orders. 

The  intervals  between  the  columns  had  by  this  time  become  somewhat 
increased,  although  not  to  the  extent  of  placing  them  beyond  supporting 
distance,  wdiich  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  Benteen's  command  was  easily 
reached  by  the  courier,  and  that  Reno's  command  could  be  seen  from  the 
crest  where  Custer's  column  was  moving. 

Reno  followed  the  trail  down  the  tributary  of  the  Little  Big  Horn, 
crossi'  g  that  stream,  and  then,  moving  down  on  ihe  left  bank  on  the  wide, 


-^ 


III 


i  I 


iH 
'I 

ill 


4^ 

'4 


208 


I»EliS()\AJ.  HECOLLKCTIONS  OF 


flat  prairie,  he  deployed  liis  coniniand  in  line  of  skirniisiiers  with  supports, 
and  moving'  furtlier  down  to  within  a  short  distance  of  the  vilhi^e,  ho 
coninieni'ed  firing  into  it  from  a  strong  position  that  iiad  formerly  been 
the  l)ed  of  a  river,  or  behind  what  is  kuo,»n  as  a  'cut  bank,"  where  he  dis- 
mounted his  coninuind;  his  horses  being  thereby  furnished  a  safe  shelter 
in  the  brush  and  timber  in  the  rear  of  his  line  of  troops.  His  men  occupied 
an  excellent  position,  where  they  were  completely  covered  behind  what 
was  to  all  intents  and  purposes  a  natural  ri tie-pit.  and  from  which  they 
could  tire  and  easily  euHlade  the  Indian  village.  If  he  had  held  this  posi- 
tion it  would  have  been  of  the  greatest  advantage  and  might  have  had  a 
decisive  effect  upon  the  Hnal  result. 

The  Indians  were  camped  in  the  following  order:  The  Uncpapas, 
Ogalallas,  ^linneconjoux,  Sans  Arcs  and  Cheyennes.  The  camp  was  thrown 
intf)  great  consternation.  As  the  firing  connuenced  at  the  upper  end  of 
the  village  the  Indians  tied  froiu  it.  first  trying  to  strike  their  tents  and 
escape,  but  in  many  instances  abandoning  them.  The  women  and  children 
fled  out  onto  the  prairie,  and  the  warriors  gathered  out  to  the  left  on  a 
''mesa.''  (jr  high  gi'ound.  some  four  or  five  hundr€>d  yards  from  the  village. 

There  they  commenced  skirmishing  with  Ueno's  troops,  but  their  tire 
had  little  effect  until  Major  Heno  (yrdered  his  comnumd  to  mount.  Then 
he  ordered  them  to  dismount,  and  again  to  mount;  and  finally  directing 
them  to  follow  him.  he  dashed  out  of  the  timber,  leaving  the  strong  posi- 
tion, and  galloped  back  across  the  plain  toward  the  hills  on  the  right  l)ank 
of  the  Little  Big  Horn.  The  Indians  seeing  this  movement  of  the  troops, 
and  interpreting  it  as  a  retreat,  as  it  was,  rushed  after  them  in  hot  pur- 
suit. As  was  quite  natural  they  took  every  advantage  of  the  disorder  in 
the  ranks  where  officers  and  men  were  running  such  a  wild  rac^e.  rushing 
and  climbing  as  ])est  they  could  up  the  steep  banks  of  tlie  stream  and  did 
all  the  injury  possi])le  before  the  troops  reached  the  high  bluffs  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Little  Big  Horn.  Here  they  came  in  contact  with  Cap- 
tain lienteen's  command  as  he  was  moving  down  on  the  high  ground  (-n 
the  right  bank  of  the  river  in  accordance  with  Custer's  last  order  to 
"Come  on,"  and  "Be  quick,"  and  in  a  way  that  if  he  had  not  been  inter- 
rupted by  the  retreat  :)f  Beno.  would  in  a  few  minutes  more  have  brought 
his  comnumd  into  action  between  those  of  Custer  and  Reno.  Cai)tain  Ben- 
teen  halted  his  men  and  heli)ed  to  rally  the  battalion  of  Major  Reno.  In 
that  vicinity  the  two  commands  renuiined  the  entire  day  and  night.  One 
connnanderhad  received  positive  and  repeated  orders  from  Custer  to  attack 
the  enemy  ;  the  other  had  received  Custer's  last  and  equally  positive  order 


ii  I 


;i.' 


i 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


'im 


to  "Come  on,"  "Be  quick,"  and  "Bring  packs"  containing  the  reserve  am- 
munition. The  courier  who  brougiit  Custer's  hist  oider  was  the  best  pos- 
sible guide  to  be  had  to  lead  the  way  to  Custer's  position  if  any  direction 
was  needed;  but  the  sound  of  the  ri tie  sh(>ts  and  the  volleys  down  the 
river  indicated  exactly  where  the  troops  and  the  ammunition  were  re- 
quired and  should  have  gone. 

Under  rules  governing  all  military  forces,  whenever  two  comnninds 
come  together  the  senior  oHicer  is  responsible  for  the  whole.  And  the 
senior  officer  should  give  the  necessary  orders.  Major  Reno  was  therefore 
the  responsible  commander  at  that  point. 

Captain  Godfrey  says  that  from  where  Ueno's  command  remained  they 
could  hear  the  firing  going  on  farther  down  in  the  valley  between  Custer's 
men  and  the  Indians,  for  a  long  time.    The  Indians  disapi)eared  from  that 


ing  chased  Major  Ke- 
of  the  valley  and  up 
Captain  Weir  with 
a  short  distance  along 
direction  of  the  tiring, 
smoke  and  dust  and 
tion  in  the  valley,  re- 
could  go  no  further. 


front  after  hav- 

no's  troops   out 

on  the  b  1  u  ff  s . 

his  troops  moved 

the  crest  in  the 

and     seeing 

a  great  commo- 

ported    that  he 

That  may  have 

been    a  time 

when  one  troop 

under  a  gallant 

officer  might  not 

have  been  able 

to   go    where 

seven  troops  could  and  ought  to  have 

gone.      One  of  the  scouts,  Herendeen, 

and  thirteen  men  who  were  with  Reno, 

and  who  were  left  in  the  timber  from 

which  Reno  retreated,  after  the  Indians 

had    gone    down    the    valley,    walked 

across  the  plain,  forded  the  river,   and 

rojoined   their  command   on    the   hill. 

These    two    movements   indicate  that 

there  were  no  Indians  in  this  vicinity 

during  the  time  that  the  tiring  was  going  on  that  is  mentioned  by  Godfrey, 


TiiK  Gr.><TKU  HArri.KKiKi.i)  Two  Vi:.\ks 

Al  TKK. 


I 


i; 


nn 


•■, 


i 

if 


210 


I'KlfSONAL   IJKCOl.LKCTM  )NS  OK 


down  the  \ alley  of  tlic  Little  \V\*^  llorii  wliere  tiie  real  buttle  was 
lieiii^'  I'oii^Mit. 

All  that  was  known  of  the  fate  of  Cnster's  coinmand  foi"  at  least  two 
years,  was  derived  chiefly  fi'oin  the  e\  ideiice  fonnd  npon  the  Held  after  the 
en},'a}j:enient.  In  this  way  it  became  known  that  his  trail,  after  pass- 
ing the  hntte  fi'oin  which  he  ha<l  sent  the  last  oi(l(>r  to  Captain  Hen- 
teen,  hore  on  down  toward  the  Indian  \illa;j:e  neafin<;  the  ci'eek  at  one 
point  of  low  j^M'onnd.  and  then  moving'  to  the  I'i^^ht  where  it  took  position 
alon^'  a  crest  parallel  with  the  Little  lii;^'  Horn  and  the  Indian  villa^'e. 
Here  the  (h'ad  bodies  showed  that  the  en;^M^'enient  had  occurred  alon^'  this 
crest.  Tlie  bcxlies  cd'  the  men  wei'e  fonnd,  some  on  the  slope  towai'd  the 
Indian  camp,  many  on  the  crest,  an<l  some  ba(d\  a  short  distance  in  the 
rear  of  the  crest.  Lientenant  CrittcMiden's  body  was  fonnd  near  the  e.\- 
trenn'  left :  Caittain  l\eo<j:h.  with  a  nnmber  of  his  ti*o(»i»s.  in  the  real'  (d'  the 
center :  (ieneral  Cnster  and  his  two  brotlu'rs  on  the  extreme  ri^dit.  The 
bodies  of  some  forty  soldiers  were  fonnd  scattered  on  the  ^'ronnd  between 
the  extreme  ri^dit  and  the  Little  Hi^  Horn,  those  ntnirest  the  river  in  a 
small  ravine  or  depression  of  j^roiind. 

At  first  the  iini»ression  was  that  (.'nster  had  attemi)ted  to  ^o  down  this 
ravine  and  had  been  driven  back  :  but  no  horses  were  found  alon^  'his  line 
of  dead  bodies.  This  is  a}>pro.\imately  all  that  is  known  of  the  fate  of 
Custer  and  his  command  from  what  infjre  ation  could  be  obtained  from 
the  ai)pearance  of  the  ground  and  the  bodies  of  the  men  and  horses  after 
the  tight.  This  tragic  ending  of  our  republic's  first  centennial  gave  a 
theme  to  the  poet  liongfellow.  who  wrote  the  following  lines: 

Ttll-:     ICF.rEMlE    Of'     UMS-IS-rilK-FMh:. 

Ill   that   (It'solate   land   and    lone. 
WluMV   tlu'    lii<i'   Horn   and    N't'llowstoiu* 

lioar  down   tlicir  niountalii   |)atli. 
By  their  fires  the  Sioux   Chiefs 
Muttered   their  woes  and   griefs 

And  the  menaee  of  their  wrath. 

•■  lu'venge  I "'  eried    liainin-the-Faee, 
'•  lievenge   Ujton   all   the   raee 

Of  the   White  Chief  with  yellow  hair!" 
And  the  mountains  dark   and  lii<rh 
From  their  erags  re-eehoed  the  ery 
Of  his  anger  and  despair. 


Miki 


(JKMIKAI,   NKLSON    A.    MIT.KS 

III  till'  iiii'!i(l<i\v.  s|irt'a(liiii,'  %vi(li> 
IS\    wodilliiiul  and   ri\  iTsidc 

Till'    liiitiiiii    villau'c  stuixl  ; 
All    was  silfiit    as   a   drcaiii, 
Savi'  tilt'  rusliiiiy  of  tin'  stream 

And   tli(>   l)liif-jav   in   tlic   wood. 

In  liis  war  jmint  ami  liis  licads, 
Like  a   liisim   aiinmLT  •'"'   '" !**• 

In  aiiilmsli  tlic  Sittiiiti'  Mull 
Lay  witli  tlircf  tlidiisand  l)ra\fs 
Croiu'licd   in   tlie  clcFts  and    cavi's 

Saviiiif.  uiiiiu»rciful  ! 


lill 


Into  tilt*    fatal   snari' 

Tin'    White   Cliiff  with   vcllow  hair 

And    his   tliri'i'   hiindrctl    iiirn 
Dashed   hcadloiid',  sword   in   hand; 
Hut  of  that  irallant  ban<l 

Not   one   returned  aiiaiii. 

The  sudden  darkness  of  death 
Overwheliiu'd   them   like   the   i)reath 

And  smoke  of  a  furnace  lire  ; 
Hv  the  viver's  bank,  and  between 
The  roeks   of  the  ravine. 

They    lay   in  their  bloody  attire. 

But  the   foeeien   fled   in   the  nijfht, 
And   Haiu-in-tiie-Faee.  in   his  fliirht. 

Uplifted   liiifli   in  air 
As  a  iifhastlv  tro]»hy.  bore 
The   brave  heart,   that   beat   no   more. 

Of  the  White  Chief  with  vellow  hair 


l\AIN-I.\-Tlli:-F.\C'K. 

Whose   was  the  riirht  and  the   wroiitr  V 
Siiiir   it.  ()  funeral   sony. 

With  a   voiee  that   is  full   of   tears. 
And  say  that   our  brokt'ii   faith 
Wrou<r|it  all   this  ruin  and  scathe. 

In   the   Year  of  a  Hundred    Years. 


I  , 


r 


'if 


\  \' 


M— 13 


•) 


12 


PEHSONAL  HECOLLKC'I'IONS  OF 


('IIAPTi:if   XVI. 
Aftku  tiik  CrsTKK  Massacre. 


/' 


ii !  i 


OKDKRM    Tn     IvIOIM'OIlCK    (rKNKHM.    TkHIIY  —  NuTKS    uK    I'UKI"  AlC  A  I'll  is  —  K  \  HKWKI.I,    To     KaMM.IKH  AM) 

I'"ini:Mis — l»i:iMUTrKi;  khom   Imikt    LKAVioNWiturii  —  Incidionts  hk  tiii;  .Foihnkv    \v  run 

MissurUI —  Al'I'AIHH    AT  Tin:  MdlTII  (IK   TIIK   Y KM.nWSTd.V R — FnUT  Hi  Tollli    In    TIIK 
liilMKIll  1)  —  .FlNCTInV  or  TkKKY  AND  Cui'ok'  —  TlIK   IjAIUiKST  .Mll.lTVIlV    KllUCK 

Evi;u    Assi:miii,i:i)   on    Tin:    Plains  —  Cai'Tain    Anson   .Mii.is  at 
Si.iM   |{i  tti:m  —  (iknkhai-s  Tkkhy  and  CJhook  Uki'aiu  to 

WiNTKIt     (^lAHTKHS     To      IJksI'MI;     TIIK     (V\MI'AUiN 
IN  TIIK  Si'llINd  —  "  YkI.I.oWSToSK   KkI.I.KY" 

—  In     (Iantonmknt  —  Skvkiutv 

OK    Tin:    Cl.IMATK     IN 
WiNTKII. 

^}]K  annoiiiiconHMit  of  tho  anniliilutioii  of  Custorand  this  lar^'O 
body  of  HKMi.  whatever  may  have  heeii  the  causes  of  tlie  same 
/  as  (Hsciissed  in  tlie  preceding'  chapter,  shocked  the  entire 
V  country,  and  was  teiegraidied  aroinid  the  wcu'Ul  as  a  great  dis- 
aster. I  nMiiember  readinj^  on  the  niornin;j:  of  July  H.  at  Fort 
Y^-'  j^  Leavenworth,  ivansas.  tlie  iieadline  of  a  newspaper,  printed  in  the 
'  '•  "•  larj^est  kind  of  ty])e  and  runninj^  across  tlie  entire  pajje  the  sin- 
«;le  word,  •'  Horrible."  Then  followed  a  brief  but  grai)hic  Jiccount 
of  the  disaster  upon  the  Little  \\\)i  Horn,  it  shocked  our  little  com 
mnnity  there  perhaps  more  than  it  did  any  other  i)art  of  the  country, 
as  (ieneral  Custer  was  well  known  among  us.  lie  and  his  regiment  were 
most  i)oi)ular  throughout  all  tluit  region,  and  the  disaster  seemed  to  their 
friends  most  appalling.  It  seemed  to  magnify  in  the  public  mind  the  pow- 
er and  terrors  of  the  Sioux  Nation,  and  immediate  orders  w^re  sent  to  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  country  directing  that  detachments  of  troops  be  ordered 
to  the  seat  of  war. 

Six  companies  of  my  regiment  were  ordered  to  move  from  Fort  Leaven- 
worth under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Whistler,  but  as  six  companies  were  more 
than  half  of  the  regiment.  I  claimed  that  by  right  it  was  a  colonel's  com- 
mand and  recjuested  to  be  ordered  with  it  myself,  which  request  was  at 
once  granted.  Subseiiuently  the  remainder  of  the  regiment  was  ordered 
to  follow.     The  prospect  of  going  up  into  that  "dark  and  bloody  ground'' 


\ 


h- 
i-e 
li- 
lt 

Id 


GKNEHAI.  NKI.SON  A.  MII.KS. 


o 


13 


was  ('«Mtaiiily  not  tlie  most  inspiring',  but  as  I  liad  a  \v«»ll-(lrill(Ml  and 
splriididly-discipliiHMl  rr^'iiiitMit,  exporioiicrd  in  Indian  ('an)|>aignin)^r  a 
coninnind  in  wliicli  I  placrd  a  contidciKM'  wliicli  was  n'ciprocatfMl  by  olli- 
ctM's  and  soldiers — I  di<l  not  tVrl  tlir  least  hesitancy  in  taking' it  up  into 
that  country.  The  syni|)ath>  expressed  for  us  hy  the  friends  of  the  regi- 
ment was.  however,  fully  appKM'iated. 

Within  a  few^  d.iys  the  cduimand  was  etpiipped  for  the  Meld,  and  tho 
announcement  that  the  re^'iment  was  to  leave  l»y  train  on  si  certain  day  at 
a  specitied  iuair,  hrou^dit  a  lar<,'(»  concours(M>f  people  from  the  surrounding 
country.  numl>ei'ing  hundreds,  if  not  thousands,  to  see  us  move  away. 
Many  were  pres<Mited  with  loutpiets  and  other  tokens  of  regard,  and  while 
it  was  an  inspiring  sight  to  Ichold  the  resolute  and  determined  appearance 
of  both  otiicers  and  men,  yet  within  all  our  hearts  there  was  c(«rtainly  a 
deep  sadness  as  we  hade  adieu  to  oui-  families  and  fi'iends.  The  connnand 
was  i)ara(led,  and.  at  the  order  to  maich.  stepped  oH"  as  lightly  ovei-  the  turf 
as  they  were  accustomed  to  do  in  their  ordinary  parades;  the  hand  playing 
'*The  (lirl  I  Left  liehind  Me."  and  one  of  the  national  airs.  We  manthed 
to  the  dei)ot.  and  from  there  were  moved  hy  train  to  Yankton.  Dakota. 

As  we  passed  through  the  towns  and  villages  it  reminded  me  of  the 
time  when  the  troops  were  going  to  the  war  foi'  the  Union  in  the  days  of 
1S()1  and  '()"2.  Many  of  the  puhlic  huildingsand  private  houses  wer(Mlraped 
in  mourning,  and  frecpiently  the  national  colors  were  displayed  in  token  of 
sympathy  lor  the  dead  and  encouragement  for  the  living.  The  ccmimand 
was  cheered  wherever  it  passed  a  gathering  of  citizens,  and  linally  went 
on  hoard  a  large  river  steamer  at  Yankton.  As  we  moved  up  the  river  the 
same  tokens  of  resi)ect  and  confidence  were  siiown  at  every  village  we 
passed,  ami  these  demonstrations  were  answered  hy  the  cheers  and  hurrahs 
of  the  men,  indicating  the  utmost  confidence  in  their  own  i)rowess.  As 
we  passed  one  of  the  military  posts,  a  few  otticjM's  and  ladies  of  the  gar- 
rison were(h)wn  on  the  heach  to  watch  our  steamer  ploughing  its  way  up 
the  Missouri  Hiver.  One  of  the  otlicers  signaled  a  single  vvord  to  us  with 
a  handkerchief,  as  we  were  heyond  the  reach  of  communication  except  hy 
signaling;  the  word  was  "Success."  To  show  their  confidence  and  at  the 
same  time  their  independence,  one  of  our  men  signaled  hack  two  short 
words,  ••  You  het." 

These  and  like  incidents  nuirked  our  course  until  we  readied  Fort  Lin- 
coln which  w^e  found  shrouded  in  the  deepest  gloom  and  mourning.  The 
relatives  and  friends  of  that  portion  of  the  gallant  Seventh  that  had 
perished  were  still  at  this  military  station.     More  than  thirty  widows  of 


I  ■  I 


ill 


iii 


4 


!  '    S\i\ 


\ 


h 


I  • 


LM4 


rKWSONAl.   K'KroM.KCTlONS  OF 


olIictM-s  aiul  soldiers  wciv  tluMV  in  satlm'ss  and  lonidiness.  including  the 
widow  (»{'  \\\v  biavo  (  tistor.  Such  a  scene  could  not  fail  to  touch  every 
heart,  while  it  nerv«'d  them  all  to  fortitude  for  the  future.  Here  the 
conuuand  was  inspected  hy  the  department  inspector  to  see  that  all  the 
parapluMiialia  ami  etjuipiuents  that  were  supposed  to  hedenumded  forsnch 
a  campaiuii  as  was  before  it.  had  Keen  supi»li(Hl.  The  command  was  found 
in  perfect  condition,  having'  all  theecpiipnu'uts  recpiired  by  the  n^^ndations. 


Si'i:ni:  on  tiii;  Si'k amiioat. 


Tlu^  inspection  Ixmu*;  over  we  riMMubarked.  and.  after  moving  up  the 
Missouri  forseveral  miles,  an  ordin-  was  p:iven  for  the  trooi)s  to  pack  up  all 
the  parai)hernalia  that  we  hiul  found  in  our  experience  with  the  southern 
Indians  to  be  not  absolutely  essential  for  a  rampaipi  in  the  Held.  These 
included  bayonets  and  bayonet  scabbards,  sabres,  cartrid^^e  boxes,  military 
caps.  i^c.  This  ord(M-  was  received  by  the  men  with  a  hurrah,  and  they 
cpiickly  and  carefully  packed  in  boxes  to  be  shippeildown  theriverall  that 
they  did  not  re(|uii-e.  realizinu:  that  to  carry  unnecessary  material  on  the 
Iousj:.  weary  nuirches  was  a  useless  burden.     In  place  of  cartridge  boxes, 


n 


(JKNKli'Al.   NKl.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


•215 


tlioy  <;liully  bucklod  altoiit  their  waists  tho  nion*  useful  oquipniont  of  oart- 
ri(li>;o  bolts,  with  the  cart rid^'os  carefully  polished  for  iiuuu'diate  aud  seri- 
ous action. 

For  ten  days  the  ^n'eat  steanu'r  })louj^'hed  its  way  up  the  Missouri,  fro- 
ipiently  coniin^Mipou  a  sand  hank,  owiu^- to  the  constant  chan^^vs  in  the 
channel  of  that  turhuhMit  riv»>r.  W  Ikmi  an  accident  of  this  kind  occurred 
the  «;reat  shafts  in  the  how  oi"  the  boat  were  h»wei(Ml.  aud  with  the  engines 
the  bow  was  partially  lifted  olT.  whil(>  the  st(>ru  wheel  was  revers(Hl  and 
then  ant)ther  etTort  made  to  lind  the  main  curnMit  of  tlu*  watiM's.  Atone 
time  near  the  close  of  day  the  bow  sti-uck  a  sand  bank.  The  weary  roust- 
abouts on  board  the  vessel,  impatient  and  tired  as  they  wiMV  with  the  day's 
work  were  still  iucliu(Hl  to  be  humcuous.  oui'of  th«Mu  remarking'  that  "it  had 
been  said  that  the  world  was  created  in  six  days.  I)ut  he  did  not  believe  that 
the  Creator  had  yet  made  up  his  mind  where  he  wanted  the  Missouri  b*iv(M\" 

Durin*;  tiuMlay  tlu>  nuui  occupied  themstdxcs  in  polishing'  tluur  cart- 
rid^'es  or  lookinj;-  over  their  e(pii|>uuMits  to  see  that  everythinjj:  was  in 
order,  or  in  clt>aning  tluMr  ritles.  W'Ihmi  at  leisure  they  were  en<j:a!j:(Ml  in 
reading,  or  in  w'tiup;  hitters  to  their  friends  to  W  sent  back  whenever 
they  niii^ht  have  an  opportunity.  In  the  e\(Miin<i:  they  ixatheri'd  on  the 
upper  and  lower  decks  and  amused  themselves  by  listeniufj;  to  tlu»  son^^s  of 
those  of  their  number  who  W(>re  fortunate  enough  to  hav(>  tine  voices  and 
were  good  solo  or  ipuirtette  singers. 

We  reached  Fort  Ihiford.  at  tiu»  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone,  just  after 
dark,  and  a  large  numlxM'  of  the  otlicers  and  men  canu>  down  to  the  wharf 
to  see  our  troops.  Sucii  terror  had  the  disaster  to  Custer  occasioiuul  in  the 
hearts  of  these  uumi  that  th(\v  seenunl  ovei'conu^  with  sadness;  not  a  cheer 
greeteil  our  comnuind  as  the  steamer  moved  up  to  the  wharf;  and  they  were 
surprised  to  hear  fi'om  the  deck  a  (|uartett(»  of  our  uumi  singing  the  nu»st 
jolly  and  rollicking  songs  that  they  knew,  with  a  chorus  of  laughtiu"  joined 
in  by  their  comrades. 

We  then  moved  on  up  the  Yellowstone,  and  during  our  Hrst  evening  on 
that  river  I  noticed  sonu»  ti-c^pidation  on  the  part  of  one  of  \bv  black  ser*- 
auts  as  the  nuMi  were  about  to  put  down  their  blauki^ts  ft)r  t;*'  night,  lie 
appeared  a  shade  lighter  than  usual  as  he  said  to  the  steward  of  tlu^ 
steanuM".  "TTyar  nuissa.  kin  you  inform  nu^  which  is  (h*  Sioux  side  of  dis 
yere  Yellowstone^.'"  I  pon  being  askinl  why  he  wanted  to  know,  he  said. 
''So  1  kin  lay  my  blanket  down  on  de  udder  side  of  de  boat." 

We  continued  oui-  jiun'uey  uptotlu*  b'os(d)ud  and  I  reported  my  com- 
mand to  Hrigadier-tieneral  Terry.     We  fornuHl  i)art  of  his  forces  during  the 


m 


MP 


I 


! 


:  m 


216 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTJOXS  OF 


Cakiwix  Anson  ]\In,T.s. 


two  months  following,  and  moved  up  the  Rosebud,  where  General  Terry's 
troops  joined  those  under  Brigadier-General  Crook.  This  brought  the  two 
department  commanders  together  with  one  of  the  largest  bodies  of  troops 
ever  marshalled  in  that  country.  The  combined  forces  then  moved  east 
across  the  Tongue  River  to  the  mouth  of  the  Powder  River.  There  the 
commands  separated  again.  General  Crook  crossing  the  tri))utaries  of  the 
Yellowstone  and  Little  Missouri,  then  going  southeast, 
crossing  the  Belle  Fourche.  and  going  into  camp  near  the 
Black  Hills.  His  command  suffered  very  much  for  want 
of  food  and  many  of  his  animals  perished  on  this 
march.  He  sent  some  troops  on  in  advance,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Anson  Mills,  now  colonel  of  the 
Third  Cavalry,  to  obtain  supplies.  This  gallant 
and  skillful  officer  surprised  a  band  of  Indians 
near  Slim  Buttes  and  captured  their  camp,  con- 
taining a  large  amount  of  supplies  which  proved 
of  great  benefit  tc  his  detachment  and  also  to  the 
troops  of  General  Crook  when  they  came  up. 
This  command  ."<oved  south  from  the  Black 
Hills  to  the  various  stations  and  did  not,  as  a  whole,  take  any  further  part 
in  the  campaign  against  the  Sioux. 

From  the  mouth  of  the  Powder  River  the  remaining  portion  of  the 
command,  under  General  Terry,  moved  north  to  the  Big  Dry,  thence  east, 
then  south  again,  and  ultimately  to  Glendive.  on  the  Yellowstone.  There 
it  embarked  in  steamers  and  returned  to  the  various  stations,  leaving  my 
command,  the  Fifth  Infantry,  with  Ldx  companies  of  the  Twenty-second 
Infantry,  in  the  field  to  occupy  that  country  during  the  approaching 
winter. 

It  was  contemplated  that  my  troops  sliuuld  l)uild  a  cantonment,  but  it 
was  not  sui)posed  that  they  would  do  much  more  than  occupy  that  much 
of  the  country  until  the  next  spring,  when  it  was  expected  that  they  would 
form  the  basis  for  another  season's  campaign.  This  order  was  given  by 
General  Sherman,  commanding  the  army,  and  he  also  made  an  order  for  a 
larger  body  of  troops  to  be  located  at  that  point.  For  several  reasons  the 
cavalry  regiment  first  designated  to  be  a  part  of  that  command  was  not 
senc  into  that  country.  A  few  horses  were  procured — about  thirty  in  all — 
for  mounting  S' jnie  of  the  infantry  to  act  as  couriers  and  messengers.  A 
few  friendly  Indians  were  also  obtained  for  the  command,  as  well  as  a  few 
frontiersmen  for  service  as  scouts  and   guides. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


217 


It  was  my  purpose  when  i  found  1  had  l>een  designated  to  remain  in 
that  country  not  to  occupy  it  peaceably  in  conjunction  with  the  hirge 
bodies  of  Indians  that  were  then  in  the  field,  and  which  practically 
included  the  entire  liostile  force  of  the  five  Indian  tribes,  namely:  the 
Uncpapas  under  Sitting  Bull,  the  Ogalallas  under  ('razy  Horse,  the  North- 
ern Cheyennes  under  Two  Moons,  and  the  Minneconjoux  and  Sans  Arcs 
under  their  trusted  leaders.  Judging  from  our  experience  of  winter  cam- 
paigning in  the  southwest,  I  was  satisfied  that  the  winter  was  the  best 
time  for  subjugating  these  Indians.  At  that  period  it  was  regarded  as 
utterly  impossible  foi  white  men  to  live  in  that  country  and  endure  the 
extreme  cold  outs:.de  the  protection  of  well-prepared  shelter.  But  I  was 
satisfied  that  if  the  Indians  c  'uld  live  there  the  wlHe  men  could  also, 
if  properly  equipped  with  all  the  advantages  we  could  give  them,  which 
were  certainly  superior  to  those  obtainable  by  the  Indians.  I  remarked  to 
General  Terry  tliat  if  given  proper  supplies  and  a  reasonable  force,  I  would 
clear  the  Indians  out  of  that  country  before  spring.  He  remarked  that  it 
was  impossible  to  campaign  in  the  winter,  and  that  I  could  not  contend 
against  the  elements. 

About  this  time  fortune  th)"ew  in  my  way  a  man  who  was  destined  to 
prove  very  valuable  to  me,  and  who  was  known  in  that  country  l)y  the 
soubriquet  of  "Yellowstone  Kelley."  Mr.  Kelley  had 
gone  into  that  region  as  early  as  18G8.  and  had  lived 
there  as  a  hunter  and  bearer  of  dispatches  ever  since. 
He  was  an  educated  man,  came  of  a  good  family,  and 
was  young  and  strong;  but  he  had  become  so  infatu- 
ated with  that  wild  liie  and  with  the  ))eauties  of  nature 
as  he  found  them  there,  that  he  had  remained,  mak- 
ing that  country  his  permanent  home.  He  had  trav- 
ersed almost  every  part  of  it.  In  coming  down 
the  ifellowstone  he  had  killed  a  large  liear,  and 
cutting  off  one  of  its  paws  he  sent  it  in  to  me 
as  his  card,  and  with  his  compliments.  This 
led  to  an  acquuintance  and  an  inquiry  on  my 
part  into  his  career  and  capabilities.  I  felt 
convinced  that  he  was  a  person  who  could  ])e 
put  to  a  very  useful  purpose  at  that  juncture 
of  affairs,  and  on  expressing  myself  to  that  effect  I  found  that  he  was  ready 
to  place  himself  at  my  service.  I  supplied  him  with  two  of  the  l)est 
horses  I  had,  one  being  a  thoroughbred,  and  with  these  he  made  several 


,.■,. '  ^ 


Ykli.owstom-;  "  Kki.i.kv. 


r 


1 


u 


if 


ii 


r  1  • 


Silllf '  ' 


'M  * 


I  •  V  h 
"  '  fi 


21 S 


I'KliSONAL   l!l';('()IJ.K(   riONS  OK 


loMj/  joiirrif^ys  by  liimsclf.     I  shall  liavc  occjisioii  to  mention  fiis  naino  from 
tinu^  to  tinic  as  tliis  iiarrati\('  proceeds. 

My  (command  nio\ed  jroni  (ilendi\e  to  tli(>  junction  of  the  Ton^i-iie  Uiver 
with  1  he  V'elloustonc.  ulier*-  ^M'oiind  had  alrea<ly  heen  selected  for  the 
("udonnient  l»y  Lientenant-Colonel  J.M.iJ.  Whistler,  j-'ifth  I  tiited  States 
Infantry,  and  evei\v  |»reparat  ion  was  hein^  made  in  tli(!  way  of  the  cnttin<^ 
of  timber,  the  hauling'  of  loj^s.  and  the  building  of  huts  for  the  shelter  of 
t,li(^  stores,  as  far  as  possible,  as  well  as  for  the  shelter  of  thc^  tr'oops  while 
they  were  in  cantonment.  l're|)ai'a,tions  wr-re  made  for  tlu;  accommodation 
of  tli(!  entire  comman<l  dnr'inj^'  the  winter,  bnt  I  IVdt  surfi  tliaf  simply  to 
hibernate  an(J  allow  the  Indians  to  occnpy  the  country  meant  a,  harassing 
a,nd  iinen<ini'able  existence  for  the  winter;  besides  ;_d\iii^' j^'iv'at  enconra^e- 
nuint  to  the  hMlians  by  per'initt in;.' them  to  believe  themselves  masters  of 
the  situation  while  we  were  simjjly  tolerated  upon  the  ^.n'ound  we<>ccupied. 
My  opinion  was  that  the  only  way  to  make  the  couidry  ti'iiable  for  us  was 
to  nnider  it  untenabh'  for  the  Indians;  and  with  that,  view  I  madf;  all  tlu; 
prefia.  rat  ions  necessary  l'<)r  tim  |)r'ot((ction  of  our  stores,  and  f^very  possibh; 
provision  for  the  c(»nifort,  of  the  troops  when  they  should  Ix;  abb;  to  rest,. 
1  also  ma,d(^  tlu!  most,  ca,r(d'ul  |)i'e|)arations  for  a,  vijxorous,  a,ctive,  and  S(!ver«! 
winter  cam  pa  i;_Mi.  I  appr-eciated  all  the  ter'rors  of  that,  ri;.(orous  (diniate, 
and  detei"min(!d  not  to  expos(!  tlu^  troops  t,o  any  unnecessa,r\  hardships,  or 
to  iuiderta,l<e  a  canip;ii,</n  in  thf;  snows  of  Mojitaiia  and  hakota,  with  no 
bettor  o(piipments  than  those  found  nec(\ssai"y  for  a.  summer  campaign  in 
Texas.  I  was  satislicnl  that  if  tlu^  Indiiiiis  could  live  in  that  country  in 
skin  tents  in  winter,  even  thou^di  slndterf^d  by  favorabh;  hlufTs  and  loca- 
tions and  not  re(,iiired  to  move,  that  we.  with  all  our  bettf^r  appliances 
could  be  so  equijipf^d  as  to  not  oidy  exi.^t  in  tents,  but  also  to  move  undrir 
all  circumstances. 

I,  therefore,  as  far  as  possible,  e(pii[)pe(l  my  command  as  if  I  wen'  or^'an- 
izinjj^  an  expedition  for  thrwXrctict  re^^doiis;  and  in  r(\spect  to  (dimatic  elTects, 
the  record  during/  that  time  and  since  has  demonsttated  that  the  sevei'ity 
of  the  cold  of  winter  there  was  Mf!arly  ecpial  to  anything'  en(H)untered  by 
Schwatka,,  (Jrofdy  or  otluir  explorers.  I)urin<(  tlu;  winter  ca,mpa!^Mis  of 
1(S7(»  and  '77  all  the  mercurial  thermometei's  we  had  with  us  wen  fro/en 
solid.  The  following  winter  a  s|)irit  thermometer  re/^istered  between  w 
and  t)0  bfdow  and  tlu!  lowest  re(;ord  was  on  I'oplar'  i'ri'C-k  where  the  com- 
mand crossed  in  |S7t».  and  where  the  thermometer  subserpiently  resist r-red 
(>(»  bfdow  zero;  wliicdi  wasecpial  to  the  cold  (»f  tli(^  Arctic  re;;ions.  That 
temiM!rature  is  sim[)ly  ap[)allin}^'.     Even   when  the;  air  was  perfectly  still 


ki 


(iKNKI.'AL  XKI.SON    A.   MII.KS. 


2  It) 


and  all  tJic  riioistiirc  of  tlic  iit mo.oplicn'  wjis  froz«'ii.  tlic  ;iir  Wiis  fillcfl   with 
froz(!n  jots,  or  little  shiiiiii)/  ci-ystiiis. 

Wo  were  Jihiiiidiiiit  ly  siipidied  with  food  iiiid  clot  hiii;/.  iiiid  (^very  |'|-('- 
caution  wjis  t;il<(!H  to  |»rot('ct  hoth  iik-ii  iiiid  jiiiiiiiiils  ii|/jiiiist.  the  severity  (»f 
this  int(;ii.s(!  cold.  I'iver-y  elTort  vvjts  jiiso  niiide  to  l<ee|»  the  tniiii  iiiid  ii<liiij^ 
jiniiiials  in  full  llesli.  They  wece  fed  ;iiniiid;iiice  of  coin  to  ;_'i\'(!  }i,s  ninch 
h(;at  to  their  systems  ns  possihle,  ;i(id  |)leiity  of  liiiy  whenever  it  conld  Ix; 
ohtained.  iind  when  this  wiis  not  ohtninwhle  they  were  tfi\en  the  dry  ;_''riisH 
of  the  country  thiit  is  cured  on  tlu;  ;^round. 

I»oth  ollicers  ;in(l  men  profit*'*!  hy  the  e\|)<'ri«'uce  they  li;id  heen  throu^di 
in  the  winter  campiii^nis  in   th(f  indiiin  T^u'ritory.  and  iipplied  tln'mselves 

zejilonsly  to  t  heire(|nip- 

nient  in  (^ver-v  possihie 

w;i,y.     In  iiddit  ion  to  the 

usnjil     s  t  r  o  n  ^ 


woolr-n  ciotli- 
in;i  furnished  for  the 
uniform,  they  cut  up 
woolen  hhinkets  and 
niJide  t  liemseKes  heavy 
;ind  warm  underclothing.  They  were  }il)nndiintly  suppli«'<l  with  mittfui.s 
and  with  }ir<'tics  or  hulTiilo  overshoes,  and  whenevei-  it  w;is  [lossihie  th(!y 
h}i,d  hufTjilo  moc(t}isins  nuide,  }ind  frcfpiently  cut  up  ;_'r}iin  sacks  to  hind 
ahout  tiieir  fofH  in  otvler-  to  kee|)theni  from  free/inj.;.  They  rruide  woolon 
masks  thnt  covf^n;*!  the  fuitir*^  liesul.  Ieji\in;/  openings  for- tlif;  eyes  juid  to 
br(!{ithe  t lir'ou;_di,  and  nejirly  ;ill  liiid  hulTnlo  o\<'rc()}its.  'i'liis  commaml  of 
more  than  four  hundred  men  looked  im)re  like  a.  Iar;_'«'  hody  of  Ks(piima,ux 
than  liko  white;  men  and  I'nited  States  soldiers.  In  fact  with  tlu'ir  masks 
ov(U'  their  heads  it  was  im|)*)ssihh!  to  tell  (»ne  from  another. 

When  thf!  snow  was  deep  they  frecpiently  niar<-hed  in  sin^de  file,  tlif; 
leading  man  hT-eakiii}.?  the  road  nntil  wear-y.  then  fallin;^'  out  for  another  to 
take  his  [)la(;e  and   r'etnrnin;^'  to  the   reiir  of  the  column  vvliile  the  fresh 


!| 


Ini 


IM 


<  . 


I   ■' 


11 


I  i 


1 1    .1 


220 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


man  continued  to  beat  the  pathway  through  the  snow.  At  night  they 
made  hirge  fires  of  dry  cottonwood  and  frequently  slept  on  the  snow  l^e- 
side  ti.  m.  They  crossed  all  the  principal  rivers,  the  Missouri,  the  Yellow- 
stone and  the  Tongue,  with  heavily-loaded  wagons  and  pieces  of  artillery 
on  the  solid  ice.  These  active  operations  continued  from  early  in  Octo- 
ber until  the  middb  of  February. 


--:^^- 


\ 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


CHAPTER  XVTI. 
A  Wintp:h  Campaign. 


i  ii 


PkKI'ARINV.  FOR  A   WlNTKU    CAMI'AKiN  —  SlTTINCi  Jill.T.    J)rVI|)i:s   Ills   KniiCKS  —  A   NaHKoW  KscAHi:  — 

Siri'i.Y   Tkaix   Dkivion   Back    hv   Indians — 111  ntin(i  imik  SirriNd   liri.i, —  Ili:Is  Km  nd 
—  ^Ii:ioTix<i  Bktwkkn  tiM':  Links  —  Attkmi'tkd  Tkkaciikky  —  A  Skconh   >'':i:TiN(i  — 
C()NFioiii:>c'i-:  KxDs  Aiikii'ti.y  —  Tin:   Matti.i;   Oimons — I'liAiiui:   nx    F1..1:  —  In- 
dians I)i:fi:ati:d  and  IIotiy  I'i  hsikd  —  A(iAiN  a  Fi,A(i  or  Tmci:  —  .Main 
Body   of    Indians  AdKioK  to  Sihhkndkk    at    AdioxcY   and  (iivi-; 
llosTA<;i:s  —  KscAi'F  of   Sittinc.   Bii.t.   and    I'ohtion   ok   Ln- 

DIANS  —  ScolT    JioYD  —  AdAIN    AlTIOK      SiTTINd    Hll  L  — 

Cai'ta'n      Baldwin      Sikthisks     and      Koits 
lIiM  —  Kktikn     to    Till-;     Cantonmfnt. 

IIILE  the  work  of  constructing  tlie  cantonment  was  going  on, 
and  preparations  were  being  made  for  an  active  winter  cam- 
paign, 1  went  with  a  small  escort  over  the  country  from  the 
mouth  of  the  Tongue  liiver  to  Fort  liuford  at  the  junction  of 
the  Missouri  and  Yellowstone,  in  order  to  reconnoitre  and  find 
the  best  route  by  which  to  bring  trains  from  that  supply  depot. 
In  the  meantime  I  made  every  effort  to  obtain  the  best  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  the  position  and  disposition  of  the  hostile  forces, 
as  from  the  latest  news  1  had  received  1  knew  that  their  nuiin  body 
must  be  something  more  than  a  hundred  miles  to  the  south  of  the  Yel- 
lowstone. 1  had  spies  at  the  different  agencies  who  olitained  infor- 
mation from  the  runners  who  were  constantly  going  from  tlie  agency 
Indians  to  those  in  the  hostile  camp,  and  by  that  means  found  out  much 
that  was  useful  to  me.  In  fact,  in  all  campaigns  against  the  hostile 
Indians  I  have  found  a  few  good  s})ies  that  would  give  me  reliable  and 
accurate  information  of  inestimable  value  as  early  as  jio.ssible. 

On  my  return  from  Fort  Buford  T  stopped  at  Camp  (ilendive  on  the 
Yellowstone.  About  five  hours  after  leaving  this  camp,  a  message  i^'as  re- 
ceived there  for  me,  sent  from  one  of  the  lower  agencies  frf)m  a  leliaide 
source,  giving  me  the  most  important  information.  Instead  of  send- 
ing this  message  to  my  camp,  it  was  sent  through  the  ordinary  means 
(by  courier)  over  a  distance  of  nearlv  a  hundred  miles,  to  the  canton- 
ment at  the  mouth  of  the   Tongue   Kiver.    1.  therefore,  did   not   get  it 


I'll 


!  '1 


iiii 


Mi 


I 


\ 


.).).) 


I'KIISONAI,   iJKCOl.IJOCnONS  OF 


',   . 


lit 
■1.  '':; 


n:  !m  ,  .' 


until  s('\('i'!il  (liiys  hitcf.  wlicii  I  sliould  have  I'cct'ivcd  it  within  live  hours, 
Tliis  iiiloniiiit  i(»ii  iijipfiscd  me  of  the  fact  tluit  the  hir^c  <'iiiii|)s  of  Sittiiij^' 
Hull  iiiid  Crazy  Morse  had  scjtai'atcd  some  distance  south  of  the  Vfdlow- 
stone  ;  that  Cra/y  Horse  with  the  Cheyennes  and  O-.Mlallas  was  ^oin^' 
west  to  tiie  Iiosehnd  :  and  that  a  lar^e  number  of  I'licpapas.  Sans  Arcs, 
and  Minneconjoux  would  in  tlii'ee  days  he  on  the  Yellowstone,  and  in  live 
(lays  on  the  lii;^'  |)ry  north  of  the  Yellowstone,  where  they  intended  to 
make  a  camp  and  hunt  l»ulTalo(\s.  This  hi'ou^ht  them  into  the  \ery 
country  1  was  passinj^'  tlwonj^h  on  the  I'oute  fi'om  (ilendive  to  the  Tcm^iue 
|{i\('r.  and  1  had  a  vei'y  narrow  escape  from  meeting'  a  lar^-e  cam[»  with 
juy  small  escort  of  about  thicty  men.  Still,  thou^^'h  not  awai'e  that 
the  Indians  were  in  that  \  icinity.  I  had  taken  the  same  lU'ecautions  fi'oni 
habit  that  I  woidd  ha\»'  taken  lia<l  I  been  expectinu'  to  enccumter  them. 
We  j^razed  our  aidnuils  in  the  afternoon  wlwu  we  could  see  th<>  surround- 
in<;  country,  with  (uii-  outi)osts  on  the  lookout,  and  always  fastened  the 
aninuils  secni'el.v  at  nijiht. 

In  fact  the  ad\am'e  uiiai'd  of  Sittiii;^'  Hull  had  e\ideiitly  discoxcrecl  our 
party,  and  that  ni^ht  about  eleven  or  t  \.elve  o"(dock  a  body  of  twenty  or 
thirty  younjj:  Indians  passed  our  cam[).  shootin;^'  and  yellin<^'  and  lirin*^ 
their  jJTuns  in  an  emieavor  to  stampede  our  horses  and  mules,  'j'his  they 
did  not  succeed  in  doiu;^'.  but  they  did  succeed  in  i>erforatin<;  the  tent,  in 
wiiicli  I  was  sleei»in<j:.  w ith  rifle  balls.  Their  hre  was  returned  by  our  own 
5,niards  and  they  were  driven  away  without  doin^-  any  serious  (himaj.^o.  The 
next  day  we  nuirch(Hl  rapidly,  and  the  day  following'  reached  our  canton- 
ment in  safety,  realizing-  that  our  work  for  the  winter  was  neai*  at  hand. 

A  f(^w  days  hiter.  as  a  train  with  a  strong  escort  was  march in<i-  from 
(ilendive  to  the  cantonment,  it  encountered  quite  a  lai-^e  body  of  Indians 
and  was  forced  to  turn  back  for  reenforeements.  These  were  speedily 
furnished  under  the  connnand  of  rjieutenant-Colonel  Otis,  who  succeeded 
in  brin^nn^^  the  train  through  without  serious  loss.  This  nu)venient  of  the 
Indians,  and  the  attack  upon  and  delay  of  our  train,  convinced  me  that  our 
work  was  now'  to  commence  in  earnest. 

The  number  of  troops  ori}i:inally  ordered  ])y  (ieneral  Sherman,  com- 
maiulin;^'  the  army,  to  winter  on  the  Yellowstone  under  my  command  was 
fifteen  hundred,  but  ow'in<;  to  various  circumstances  and  causes  the  force 
had  l)een  reduced  until  only  about  one-third  or  that  nund)er  were  [)laced 
at  my  disposal.  I  learned  throuj,di  sjjies  and  other  nu'ans  of  the  design  of 
Sittin«.j  ihill  to  move  to  the  mouth  of  Powder  liiver.  and  othei"  particulars 
of  his  intended  movements.     The  fact  of  the  }»arty  of  wai'rioi's  under  Chief 


id. 
roiii 
iaiis 
nlily 
Hied 
tlie 
our 

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(JKNKlfAl,  NKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


I'lT) 


(Jiill  niiikin;,'  tin*  attack  on  the  train  cuiilirmcd  llic  rt>|>(>rts  I  liad  received 
tiii'oii^ii  otiiei"  soiii'ces.  and  on  Octolter  17.  ISHi.  I  iii(>\ed  aci'oss  the  ^Cllow- 
.slone  at  1  lie  month  (»!' the  Toii<j;ne  Kiver.  proceediii;;  thence  lutrtheast  ill 
order  that  I  ini;^dit.  if  possible,  intei-cept  the  niarcii  of  tiie  liostiies. 

On  tlie  'Jl.st  my  command  was  hron^dit  in  contact  uitli  tlie  hostile 
trihes  of  Minneconjonx.  Sans  Aics,  and  I'ncpapas  nn<ler  tlu^  <'ommaiid  of 
Sittiii},'  ihill,  Low  Neck,  (iall.  I'retty  Hear  and  other  chiefs.  At  the  time 
tliore  were  two  friendly  Indians  from  the  a^'ency  in  their  camp  and  for 
some  reason  they  sent  ont  l»y  these  two  men  a 
tla;^'  of  truce,  and  d(  .-ired  to  have  a  talk.  A 
wei'e  a[>i)roachin^  their  camp,  althonj^di  at 
time  we  did  not  know  its  exact  locality, 
U}j;reed  to  meet  Sitting'  Hull  between  the 
lines  with  six  men  —  one  ollicer 
men- while  he  was  to  have 
the  same  nnmber  of  warriors 
with  him.  His  force  consisted 
of  about  a  thousand  warriors, 
and  I  had  thiee  hundred  and 
ninety-four  riHemen  with  one 
piece  of  artillery. 

We  met.  and  after  some 
conversation  he  desired  to  know 
what  the  troops  were  remaining;  in 
that  country  for.  and  why  they  did 
not  yo  back  to  their  posts  or  into 
winter  quarters.  He  was  informed 
that  we  were  out  to  luinjj  him  and 
his  Indians  in,  and  that  we  did  not 
wish  to  continue  the  war  against 
them,  but  that  if  they  forced  the 
war  it  would  end.  as  all  Indian  wars  had  ended  and  must  end,  by  their 
putting  themselves  under  the  authorities  at  Washington.  He  was  told 
that  he  could  not  l)e  allowed  to  roam  over  the  country,  sending  out  war 
parties  to  devastate  the  settlements.  He  claimed  that  the  country  be- 
longed to  the  Indians  and  not  to  the  white  men,  and  declared  that  he 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  white  men  and  wanted  them  to  leave  that 
country  entirely  to  the  Indians.  He  said  that  the  white  nnin  never  lived 
who  loved  an  Indian,  and  that  no  true  Indian  evei'  lived  that  did  not  hate 


CiriKK    (i.M.I,. 


t  \: 


lu 


\     :V 


LI   i 


'    i 


iJi  1 

;  '■ 

i 

M 

\ '' 

'Am. 

2lM> 


l'KI{S()N AI,  KKrOI.LKCTlONS  OK 


the  wliito  iiiJin.  lie  dcchirod  that  (Jod  Aliui^rlity  niade  luin  sin  Indian  and 
did  not  nuike  him  an  a^^MU'v  Indian  eitiuM'.  and  ho  did  no',  intend  to  ho 
one.  After  much  talk,  and  after  nsiiij^'  all  the  powers  of  [tersnasion  of 
whieh  I  was  master,  I  was  convinced  that  something'  more  than  talk 
would  he  ret(iiiied. 

On  tii'st  meeting  Sitting'  hull  I  naturally  studied  Ins  appearance  and 
character.  Me  was  a  strong',  hardy,  sturdy  looking'  man  of  ahout  live  feet 
elev<Mi  inches  in  iiei^dit,  well-huilt,  with  stron^dy-marked  features,  high 
eheek  hones,  prominent  nose,  straight,  thin  lips,  and  strong  under  jaw,  in- 
dicating determinatiim  and  force,  lie  had  a  wide,  large,  well-developed 
head  and  low  forehead,     lie  was  a  man  of  few  words  and  cautious  in  his 


ll( 


de- 


ex[)ressi()ns.  evidently  thinking  twu'e  heiore  s[>eaking.  Me  was  very  de- 
liherate  in  his  movements  and  somewhat  reserved  in  his  manner.  At  first 
he  was  courte«)iis,  hut  evidently  void  of  any  genuine  respect  for  the  w  hite 
nice.  Although  the  feeling  was  disguised,  his  manner  indi<'ated  his  ani- 
mosity toward  those  whom  he  had  to  meet.  During  the  conversation  his 
manner  was  civil  and  to  some  extent  one  of  calm  r«»pose.  He  might  have 
been  mistaken  for  a  mild,  plain-spoken,  inoffensive  man  until  I  devel- 
oped the  other  side  of  his  nature.  In  the  course  of  the  conversation  he 
asked  me  what  I  came  into  that  country  for  with  that  large  Itody  of  sol- 
diers. I  informed  him  that  1  came  out  after  him  and  his  [)eople.  Then 
he  wanted  to  know  how  1  knew  he  was  there.  Without  giving  him  the 
sonrce  of  my  information  I  told  him  that  I  not  only  knew  where  he  was, 
uut  wdiere  he  was  from  and  where  he  was  going. 

He  said.  "  VVHiere  am  I  going?" 

I  said.  *•  You  intend  to  remain  here  three  days,  and  then  move  to  the 
Big  Dry  and  hunt  hnft'aloes." 

This  statement  excited  tlie  wild,  savage  ferocity  of  his  Uiature.  He  evi- 
dently sus])ected  treachery  on  the  part  of  some  of  his  people,  and  that  I 
had  gaiiietl  information  of  his  movements  and  his  purposes  from  them,  as 
indeed.  1  had,  although  I  did  not  inform  him  either  of  the  sonrce  or  the 
metJKKls  by  which  I  obtained  knowledge  of  his  movements.  This  fact  en- 
raged him  so  that  he  tinally  gave  an  exhibition  of  wild  frenzy.  His  ^vhole 
manner  ai)peared  more  like  that  of  a  wild  beast  than  a  human  being;  his 
face  assnmed  a  furious  expression  ;  his  jaws  were  closed  tightly ;  his  lips 
were  comi)ressed,  and  you  co  dd  see  his  eyes  glistening  with  the  hre  of 
savage  hatred.     He  reminded  me  of  Halleck's  description  of  Red  .lacket. 

He  seemed  to  think  that  the  Sioux  camp  was  more  powerful  than 
anything   he   had    seen  in   that   country,   and   assumed   an   air  of  lofty 


GKNKIJAL  NKI-SON  A.  MILKS. 


227 


indopeiulenct*.  Lieiiteiuiiit  Hailry  smkI  myself  had  no  iirnis  oxcopt  \\w  revol- 
vers in  our  belts.  During  the  conversation  ii  young  warrior  cuine  up  hehind 
Sitting  Mull  and  ((uietly  slipped  a  carhine  under  the  hitter's  huttalo  roho, 
and  tho  six  men  that  he  had  originally  hrought  with  him  were  increased 
by  ton  or  a  dozen  others  that  ((uietiy  joined  the  p.irty,  one  at  a  time. 
Anticii>ating  trea<'hery  (5ind  I  afterward  learned  that  this  wa.s  his  purpose), 
I  informed  him  that  all  but  the  original  six  men  must  return  to  the  main 
body  of  Indians  in  the  distance  or  our  conversation  would  immediately 
cease.  I  i'ound  that  it  was  useless  to  endeavor  to  [jersuade  him  to  acc(>pt 
peaceable  terms,  and  nuide  an  excuse  for  discontinuing  the  talk,  i  then 
moved  with  my  men  back  in  the  direction  from  which  we  had  come. 

The  next  morning  1  moved  soon  after  daylight  in  the  direction  in  which 
I  believed  their  main  cam[)to  be  located,  and  discovered  it  after  a  march 
of  ten  miles.  Sitting  Hull  again  came  forward  with  a  Hag  of  truce  and 
desired  another  talk,  which  was  granted,  but  it  resulted  as  fruitlessly  as 
the  first.  The  only  condition  of  i)eace  which  he  would  consent  to  was  the 
abandonment  of  the  entire  country,  including  military  posts,  lines  of 
travel,  settlements;  in  fact  everything  but  a  few  trading  posts  which  might 
be  left  to  furnish  them  with  ammunition  and  supplies  in  exchange  for 
their  buffalo  robes  and  whatever  they  had  to  s(41.  Finding  his  disposition 
to  be  one  of  positive  hostility,  ho  was  linally  informed  that  unless  he  ac- 
copted  the  terms  of  the  governnuMit  and  i»laced  his  peoi)le  under  our  gov- 
ernment and  laws,  as  all  other  Indians  had  done,  he  W(>uld  be  pursued  until 
he  was  driven  out  of  the  country  or  until  he  succeeded  in  driving  the  troops 
out.  tie  was  told  that  no  advantage  of  his  being  under  the  Hag  of  truce 
would  be  taken,  and  he  would  be  allowed  to  return  to  his  camp,  but  that  in 
fifteen  minutes,  if  he  did  not  accept  the  terms  offered,  we  would  open  Hre 
and  hostilities  would  commence. 

He  and  the  men  who  accompanied  him  then  returned  with  all  speed 
toward  their  lines,  calling  out  to  the  Indians  to  prepare  for  battle,  and  the 
scene  was,  for  the  next  few  minutes,  one  of  the  wildest  excitement.  The 
prairies  were  covered  with  savage  warriors  dashing  hither  and  thither  mak- 
ing ready  for  battle.  At  the  end  of  the  time  mentioned.  I  ordered  an  ad- 
vance of  the  entire  body  of  troops,  and  immediately  the  Indians  com- 
menced setting  tire  to  the  dry  pi'airie  grass  around  the  command,  together 
with  other  acts  of  hostility.  An  engagement  immediately  followed  in 
which  the  Indians  were  driven  out  of  their  camp  for  several  miles,  and  in 
the  two  days  following  were  hotly  pursued  for  a  distance  of  more  than 
forty  miles. 


j  m 


228 


rEHSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


F'lKi 


The  Tmlians  lost  a  few  of  tlieir  wari'ioi-s  and  a  lar^je  amount  of  property 
both  in  their  i-anip  and  on  their  retreat,  inehulin*,'  their  horses,  mules  and 
ponies,  whieh  fell  into  our  liands.  Althonjj^h  the  tro(>[)s  were  outnumbered 
fully  three  to  one.  yet  the  fortitude  displayed  by  them  was  most^n'atifyinjj:. 
The  enjj^a^'enient  ^^a\e  them  the  utmost  contidenee  in  themselves  and  at 
the  same  time  they  impressed  the  IndiauN  most  profoundly  with  their  per- 
sistent, offensive  mode  of  li^litin<>f  and  pursuit. 

At  one  time  the  command  was  entirely  surrounded  by  Indians,  and  the 
troops  wore  formed  in  a  larjjje  hollow  scpuire  in  open  order  and  deployed  at 
five  paces,  with  all  the  reserves  brou;j;lit  into  action,  yet  not  a  sintjle  num 
left  his  place  v<r  failed  to  do  his  full  duty.  The  enjjfagement  demonstrated 
the  fact  that  the  Indians  could  not  stand  artilliM-y.  and  that  there  was  no 
position  they  could  tuke  from  which  the  infantry  could  not  dislod^^e  them. 

The  eneri^y  of  the  attack  and  the  persistence  of  the  pursuit  created 
such  consternation  in  their  camp  that,  after  a  pn.'-suit  of  forty-two  miles, 
the  Indians  sent  out  another  tiajj^  of  truce  and  auain  requested  an  inter- 
view. Duiin^^  this  interview  two  thousand  of  them  ajjjn^ed  to  ^m)  to  their 
ajrencie's  and  surrender.  They  gave  up  five  of  their  princii)al  chiefs  as 
hj.^tajjes  for  the  faithful  execution  of  this  agreement.  These  chiefs  were 
c.'ut  down  the  V(Mlowstoue  and  Missouri  to  tlieir  agencies  under  charge  of 
Lieutenant  Forbes.  Fifth  United  States  Infantry.  Although  the  terms  of 
their  surrender  were  not  fully  carried  out  at  the  agency  when  they  arri\  ed 
there,  and  it  was  no  fualt  of  the  Indians,  still  very  favorable  results  had 
been  accomplished.  I?ut  Sitting  Hull,  (lall.  Pretty  Bear  and  several  other 
chiefs,  v.ith  neai'ly  four  hundred  people,  broke  away  from  the  main  camp 
and  retreated  north  toward  the  Missouri. 

The  command  on  returning  to  the  cantonment  at  the  month  of  the 
Tongue  Kivei'  was  immediately  reoi'ganized.  and  with  a  force  of  four  hun- 
dred and  thirty-four  men  of  the  Fifth  Infantry,  again  moved  north  in  pur- 
suit of  Sitting  Hull  and  the  chiefs  mentioned.  Striking  the  trail  on  a 
tributary  of  the  i*ig  l)r>,  we  followed  it  for  sonie  distance,  and  until  it  was 
obliterated  by  a  se\ere  snowstorm.  The  command  continned  north  to  the 
Missouri,  and  thence  west,  reconnoitering  the  coantry  for  nearly  a  bundled 
miles  toward  the  mouth  of  the  Musselshell  River  where  it  empties  into 
the  Missouri.  We  encountered  very  severe  winter  weather  in  the 
month  of  November,  the  ground  being  covered  Avith  snow  and  the  nights 
intensely  cold.  Three  days  we  marched  along  the  high  divide  l)etween  the 
Yellowstone  and  Mi,  souri,  without  wood  in  our  camps,  and  using  melted 
snow  in  place  of  water. 


GKNKKAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


229 


Moving  along  over  the  country,  frequently  two  or  three  miles  in  ad- 
vance of  the  coninuind,  I  would  ascend  an  elevation  or  prominent  butte 
and  look  over  the  counti-y  to  discover  any  indication  of  hostile  camps  that 
might  be  in  the  vicinity.  1  was  usually  accompanied  by  a  few'  officers  and 
soldiers,  with  a  few  scouts.  At  one  time  when  we  stoi)ped  on  the  square 
top  of  a  butte,  one  of  the  scouts,  tieorge  Boyd,  dismounted  to  get  a  better 
view  with  his  field  glass  of  the  surrounding  country.  He  was  a  man  very 
much  deformed,  club-footed  in  both  feet,  and  as  they  turned  in  and  were 
covered  with  short  round  moccasins,  he  made  a  very  singular  track  or 
trail  in  the  snow.  I  good-naturedly  ren^arked  that  he  left  the  most  re- 
markable trail  behind  him  that  1  had  ever  seen,  hi  like  spirit  he  replied 
that  this  was  true  and  added: 

'•Several  years ugo  when  I  was  earrying  (lis(tatcli',>s  iiiv  horse  gave  out,  and  I  went  tlie 
balanee  of  tlie  way  to  my  destination  t)n  foot.  Tne  Indi.ms  st-uek  my  trail  in  the  snow, 
and  following  it  t«)  tlie  'nilitary  post  to  whieli  it  led.  came  in  and  i  snorted  to  the  oHicer  in 
connnand  that  they  had  found  this  singidar  trail  and  wanted  to  know  wlmt  kind  of  an 
animal  it  was.  and  whieh  way  he  was  i^oing." 

During  this  march  in  order  to  more  fully  reconnoitre  the  country,  the 
command  was  divided  into  three  columns.  Retaining  one  myself,  the  sec- 
ond was  placed  under  Captain  Snyder  and  the  third  under  Lieutenant 
Baldwin.  The  last  named  command  succeeded  in  striking  Sitting  Bull's 
camp  at  the  head  of  the  Red  Water,  where  it  captured  a  large  part  of  his 
camp  equipage  and  some  horses. 

As  illustrative  of  the  extraordinary  difficulties  under  which  the  troops 
prosecuted  the  campaigns  that  destroyed  the  power  of  the  Sioux  nation.  I 
present  the  story  of  the  affair  above  referred  to,  in  Captain  Baldwin's  own 
language  as  he  subsequently  described  it.  in  writing  to  a  friend,  and  not 
writing  with  a  view  of  its  ever  being  published.  Having  explained  the 
movements  leading  up  to  the  discovery  of  Sitting  Bull's  probable  location, 
his  account  proceeds  as  follows: 

My  Dkak  Fkiknp  :()ne  ean  seareelv  realize  my  feelings  of  resjtonsihility  when  I 
had  deeided  to  move  from  the  Assiniboiii  Agency  southward  to  the  Yellowstone,  via  the 
Red  Water  River,  in  the  face  of  the  most  positive  oppositimi  of  every  oflicer  with  me. 
The  morninjr  I  left  the  am>ncy  anti  crossed  to  the  south  of  the  Missouri  River,  1  had  less 
than  two  days  rations  for  my  men  and  liit  three  sacks  of  oats  for  my  animals,  numbering 
eighty  mules  and  four  horses.  It  was  the  most  severe  season  of  the  year  (Decendier). 
The  country  was  absoluti'ly  unknown  by  any  white  man.  the  snow  was  two  feet  deep,  and 
T  could  not.  under  the  most  favorable  circumstances,  expect  to  tiiid  sup])lies  in  less  than  five 
days.  All  night  preceding  this  march,  the  undertakiiiir,  the  ()t)stacles  to  be  nu>t  and  over- 
come, the  horribli'  fate  that  might  result  to  that  bravt'  and  ct)nlitling  comnumd,  were  con- 
INI— 14 


iJ 


' 


1    W 
\  41 


7 


230 


PERSONAL  KECOI. LECTIONS  OF 


sidered  and  too  vividly  liauiited  me  every  liour  uiid  inoineiit  both  dav  and  nijj^lit  until  we 
reached  tlie  f^oal  of  our  undertaking^.  When  1  was  j^iven  command  of  tliis  battalion  op- 
posite the  moutli  of  S(|uaw  Ureek,  and  tlie  treneral  took  command  of  a  less  iuiml)er  of 
men,  it  was  a  (juestion  us  to  which  would  find  the  hostile  Lidians.  and  with  the  only  order 
or  suiTirestion  ^'iven  by  him  in  that  earnest  manner  characteristic  of  him,  he  said,  ••  Now 
Baldwin  do  the  best  you  can.  1  am  responsible  for  disaster,  success  will  be  to  your  credit  ; 
you  know  what  my  plans  are  and  what  we  are  here  for."  Still  fully  realizini^  that  1  alone 
could  be  held  individrally  responsible  for  disaster,  and  havinij  located  beyond  a  doubt 
Sittinif  Bull's  camp,  1  was  bound  to  make  the  effort  to  strike  him,  trustinij^  to  the  indomita- 
ble will  and  intellii>'ent  iiiijcenuity  of  the  American  soldier  for  success.  Not  once  on  that 
march  (ever  memorable  to  Pie)  did  I  hear  a  soldier  complain.  On  the  niorninijcof  the  18tli, 
when  we  had  discovered  SittinjM^  Bull's  camp  at  the  head  of  the  Red  Water,  there  was  not 
a  man  who  di'i  not  join  his  company,  altiiouirh  many  of  them  were  sick  and  about  .orn 
out.  The  rcjults  of  this  eiii^aifement  are  known,  not  the  least  of  which  was  a  securinjr  of 
sutlicient  suj>plies  to  satisfy  the  huiii^er  of  every  man  of  the  command  that  nii^ht,  as  well 
as  an  assured  ration  for  the  followiiiijc  day  or  two. 

I  have  often  been  asked  how  1  used  my  men  in  an  encounter  with  the  Indians.  .My 
answer  has  been, '•  Always  ready;  never  send  a  few  men  in  at  a  time  ;  i*  the  enemy  show 
flight,  i^et  all  of  my  men  and  material  into  position,  sound  the  forward,  never  the  retreat  so 
lon^  as  the  vnemv  is  in  si^jht."  In  this  enirajfement,  as  at  McClellan  Creek  on  the  Mth  of 
November,  1874,  my  wairon-train  charired  in  just  in  rear  of  the  front  line,  a  small  i^uard 
protectinjiif  its  rear.  Vou  know  the  result  of  all  my  eni^ajrements  with  Indians.  Now  my 
dear  Geori^e,  1  consider  this  tri])  under  the  circumstances,  the  most  hazardous  and  res])onsi- 
ble  undertakini^  of  my  life.  Not  only  was  I  sure  of  encounterinij^  an  enemy  (who  was  the 
least  cause  of  anxiety),  but  in  a  most  treacherous  season,  across  an  unknown  country. with 
a  command  illy  clothed  even  for  a  caiupaiirn  under  the  most  favorable  auspices,  you  can 
well  imaii^ine  that  my  time  —  either  (hn,  or  nii^ht  was  not  spent  in  sleep.  There  was  not  a 
nii^ht  tluit  I  did  not  visit  .iiy  pickets  and  '  u  n  in  their  tents  at  least  once  evjry  two  hours, 
fearing;  that  they  miirlit  freeze  to  ileath.  Duty  and  loyalty  to  my  eoui.tr'  and  my  com- 
manding'ofiicer  were  my  incentives.  From  the  day  1  left  the  Missouri  River  about  the 
only  subsistence  my  aninuds  had  consisted  of  cottonwood  limbs,  which  were  gathered  and 
placed  before  them  after  arriving  in  camj).  The  niirht  precediriif  the  day  the  general  left 
nie  at  the  mouth  of  S«piaw  Creek  we  did  not  sleep  for  a  moment  all  nii^ht  loni^,  but  lay 
awake  c«)n^iderin^  the  new  movement.      Vou  know  how  it  was  ! 

Such  werp  the  soldierly  instincts  of  Baldwin.  His  qualities  wore  of  the 
highest  and  noblest  character.  He  was  one  of  those  men  who  did  not 
come  in  with  a  plausil)le  excuse  for  failure.  He  always  accomplished  good 
results.  Snyder  was  ahso  a  good  battalion  commander.  In  fact  all  of  the 
oflficers  and  soldiers  under  my  command  during  that  remarkable  winter 
campaign  were  nol)le  and  true  men. 

No  one  can  realize  the  condition  and  circumstances,  or  the  responsibility 
attendant  upon  moving  a  command  in  that  country  in  midwinter.  The 
condition  of  a  ship  in  northern  latitudes  in  a  dense  fog  in  the  track  of  ice- 
bergs,  would   be   in   a   somewhat   similar    situation   with    that    of    our 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


231 


m 


(1 


lie 
le- 

ir 


command  in  that  severe  climate  in  a  country,  which,  as  Cfeneral  Sheridan 
descrihed  it  in  his  reports,  was  practically  "unknown."  Indeed  it  was  un- 
known. So  tenaciously  had  those  hands  of  warriors  held  it  that  it  had 
been  impossible  for  white  men  to  explore  it.  Steamers  were  accustomed 
to  go  up  and  down  the  Yellowstone  and  Missouri,  but  the  interior  of  the 
country  had  never  been  explored,  and  nothing  of  its  geography  or  toi)og- 
raphy  wa^' known.  We  were  provided  uith  the  best  ofticial  maps  on  this 
march  between  the  Yellowstone  and  Missouri  Rivers,  a  distance  of  approx- 
imately a  hundred  miles,  but  at  that  time  no  rivers  were  laid  down  on  the 
map,  and  that  part  of  it  w^as  a  blank.  The  great  valley  of  the  Ked  Water 
and  its  numerous  tri))utaries  were  utterly  unknown. 

In  following  this  trail  of  Sitting  Bull  in  that  march,  the  command  was 
enveloped  in  what  was  known  in  that  country  as  a  "blizzard."  it  lias  been 
described  as  the  "snow  blowing  in  every  direction  at  the  same  moment  of 
time,"  which  is  a  very  good  description  of  a  Montaiia  blizzard.  People  in 
the  East  are  accustomed  to  .storms  of  rain,  thun- 
der, hail  and  snow,  but  these  might  be 
regarded  as  mere  atmospheric  caresses 
compared  with  the  Mon- 
tana blizzard  on  a  high 
divide,  upon  an  open  prai- 
rie, under  what  the  Indi- 
an s  called  the  "cold 
moon,"  or  December,  of 
that  latitude.  The  condi- 
tion of  the  command  when 
enveloped  by  the  blizzard 
on  that  march  w  as  start- 
ling. It  was  impo.-=sibIe  % 
to  see  any  ol)ject  more  than  twenty  or 
thirty  feet  away  at  midday,  yet  we 
marched  one  whole  day  under  those 
circumstances,  not  on  a  trail,  but  simply  in  the  dirtction  in  \vhich  we 
believed  the  Indians  to  have  moved.  Our  only  guide  was  the  needle  of  the 
compass.  In  fact  our  movements  w^ere  governed  by  the  compass  all  the 
way  to  the  Missouri,  for  a  hundred  miles  west  after  crossing  the  Missouri, 
and  f'>  •  ?  hundred  and  fifty  miles  southeast  after  recrossing  that  stream. 

Six  days  is  a  short  time  to  remain  in  cantonment  for  rest,  recuperation 
and  the  replenishing  of  supplies,  but  one  would  sui)pose  that  the  command 


IVIoNTANA    Rt.IZZARH. 


l',l| 


,!  j 
,  i 

t^Bt 

.     1. 

; 

'  1' 

■■\\ 

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u')^ 


I'l'iKSONAI,   IJI'iCOI.LKCriONS  OK 


mi 


mj 


would  Ix'  Miiirli  Iw'iM'litrd  l>y  cvpiithiil  hrijd"  rcsl.  Yet  vv(!  foimd  in  t  liis 
litllc!  sciiildiiiicc  of  ci  V  ili/iit  ion  ;i  mocc  sicjillliy,  (l;iM;^«'roiis  iiiid  dciidly 
(Miciiiy  (liiiii  ('\«'ii  1  lie  swviij^H!  Iiidi;i.ii  on  IIm'  pljiin.  And  j,li(!  n;iin«!  of  Huit, 
(MMsniy  <"iin  Ik;  ('.\|M<'-,si'd  in  uno  iM-icf  word  of  1  luce  snnill  hitlcMs,  r"-n-ni.  At, 
\]\i'  ('Jintonnirnl  tlicr*^  wcrn  tv\()  oc  tlir^'c  Ifinlcr's  lliiil  IkmI  <'onM!  up  IIm; 
i'iv(!r  in  ( lie  ;iut  unin  with  ii  st<M'!\  of  ;^oods.  Tlicy  liiid  nuiriy  things  forsiihi 
tluit  t  li(!  soldiers  (('(inir*'*!.  I' iir  cjips,  woolen  iindecrlot  iiin;^'  iind  other'  use- 
ful iirl  i(des  were  iinion^  t  heir  stortis,  ;tnd  ;i,t  thesiinie  time  they  lit'oii^dit 
ii|)  ii,  slock  of  li(|Uors.  I  tried  to  r'e<iuliite  this  li(|uor  ti-iiliie  in  dilTerent 
Wiiys,  such  Jis  conlinin^' t  he  soldier's  to  nmlt.ed  li(|uor*s,  heer-  iind  wine;jil- 
low'n^' ordy  ii  cer'tiiin  n:irnher'  of  driid\s  in  it  d;i.y  ;  Jirid  hy  vjrr'ious  other' 
methods,  lilt  dur'in^  the  slio'  t  ime  w(!  s|»ent  in  eiudonmeid  vv((  iilwiiys  luid 
more  oi-  les>  trouhle.  'I'he  elTe<ds  upon  the  comnuinds  v\('r'e  injur'ious  iind 
tluire  vvei(!  (list  iir'l»ji,n('«'s  ;i lid  l>reji-<dies  of  dis<'iplirie.  When  we  wer'(!  out  in 
the  held  where  licpior's  were  not  iiJlovv(!(J  to  ixM'jir'r'ied,  we  h:id  th(!  hest,  «lis- 
cipline  iiiid  not  the  leiist  troiihle.  hiir'inj^' all  t  hat,  ser'v  ire  t  he  r'e^iment  was 
the  hest  lisci|)liiied  »f  all  the  r'e;^iinents  in  t,h<!  ar'iny.  This  is  a,  matter' 
of  ollieial  record.  Tliei'e  wer'(!  fewer'  Itreacdies  of  disci|»liiie.  fewer' coiii't- 
mar'tials  and  fewer  des(M'tioris,  althoii^^h  the  men  had  every  oppor't  unity  to 
<leser't.  Still,  in  spite,  of  its  I  km  ii}.^  the  hest  disciplined,  most  or'der'ly  and 
easiest -('ontr'ollecl  r'f^;^niiient  in  the  Ini^ed  States,  wheimvei'  ii  ;^ot  ha(d\  to 
a  town  or'  v:lla|fe  or  militai'y  post  wlier'e  tli(!  sohher's  found  tli(frnselves  in 
the  vicinity  of  a  salomi,  tr'oiihh^  was  siir(^  to  follow. 

I'r'ohahly  as  many  men  lost  tlu'ir"  lives  hy  the  use  of  alcoholic  liipior's  as 
\\'or(\  killed  hy  the  Indians.  Sev<\r'a,l  of  my  men  di'opped  dead  in  i^'oin;^ 
fr'oni  a,  saloon  to  t  he  camp,  hut  I  never' knew  tint  il  aftervvar'd  that  one  of 
the  tr'ader's  had  hr'oii^ht  iiji  sevei'al  harr'els  (d' whatvvas  kn<»wri  as  "' hi;_di 
wines."  lie  maniifa.ct  lU'ed  his  <^nii  and  diHer'ent  dr'inks  in  a,  cellar',  and 
sold  them  at  (wer'y  opportiinity  to  theses  iinfor't  iiiiate  soldictrs  under' t  ho 
name  <»f  "  iicpior's,"  t  ho'ij^h  they  were  rank  poison. 

This  one  evil  has  r'esiilfed  in  iiioi'e  misery,  crime,  and  death  than  all 
othei'  causes  comhined  in  the  militai'y  posts  of  the  VNCster'H  fi'ont ier',  as 
well  as  in  the  r-elined  <'omniiiiiities  of  civ  ili/at  ion.  Tlier'e  wer'(^  tlir'(^(( 
tr'ader's  Jtt  the  cantonment ,  one  an  old  fi'oiit  ier'sman.  another'  who  had  heeri 
a  kind  of  <'ontr'a,ctor',  and  a  thii'd  who  heloii;ied  to  a  ;jood  himily  in  the 
I'iast.  This  last  was  tin;  lellovv  who  was  sfdlin;^  the  concoctions  of  "lii/^di 
wines"  and  drug's. 

On  ret  iiriiin;^' to  the  cantonment  on  the  Y(dlovvstoiie  I  a;^Miii  r'eor';_'ani/(!d 
thecomniand  for' a  nioveiiieiit  a;^ainst  ('r'a/\    llorse  an<l  t  he  ( 'lie\enii(!S  and 


ilS 

of 

liO 


'CM 


I^MI 


11(1 


Ifi;! 


Uj'IW 


s' 


y  11 


:      I 


l! 


tl':t'  M 


1^ 


i; 


ii;, 


I'l; 

l" 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


285 


Ogalallas,  who.  I  had  been  informed,  were  near  the  headwaters  of  the 
Tongue  River,  some  neventy-live  or  eighty  miles  from  our  cantonment. 
They  had  committed  many  dei)redations  in  the  vicinity  of  our  cantonment, 
stealing  a  good  part  of  what  few  horses  we  had,  and  nearly  all  the  beef 
belonging  to  the  contractor.  These,  however,  were  recaptured,  and  the 
expedition  started  immediately  against  Crazy  Horse's  camp. 

While  these  operations  were  l)eing  carried  on  in  that  section  of  the 
coun+ry,  General  Mackenzie  with  his  command  moved  up  from  the  south 
and  haf!  a  sharp  engagement  with  the  C'heyennes  on  a  tributary  of  the 
Tongiie  River  where  he  destroyed  most  of  their  camp,  but  lost  Lieutenant 
McKinney  and  several  men  in  the  engagement.  A  fort  has  siui^e  been 
constructed  near  this  battle  gnnind  and  named  Fort  McKinney  alter  the 
gallant  young  officer  who  lost  his  life  in  that  affair. 


3.  ■'-'■-■A  ■'*-■ ..- 

■'♦fc.  ■■aA.J.'    ♦     ■  '*^-  '-' 


2M 


TEliSUNAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Campaign  Against  Cheyennes  anh  Ogalallas. 

Preparations  —  Tin;    Makcii  —  lOvriMniiNcios  ok   Wintkk  (lAMi'Ai(;\rN((  —  First  ExoorNTER  — 
The  Mattt.k  —  Hia  Cuow  —  Battlk   i\   a   Snowstorm  —  Uktkkat   of  the  Enemy  — 

liRrCllhlt    Ti   E    SOO  'T-     CJxMINC.     IN     OK     THE     INDIANS  —  (JoNFERENCE  —  A 

Suicide  —  Oration     of     IjIttte    Chief  —  Hostages  —  Sitting 
MiM,    Decami's — FiHST   Kvi'kkiments   in   Farm.ng. 

vio\'iii^'  up  tlie  Tongue  Rivtu'  the  last  of  December.  I  realized 
t' ;  .  I  rould  need  a  strong?  command  to  encounter  the  warriors 
of  iliese  two  trii)es,  the  Northern  Cheyennes  and  tlie  Oga'ailas 
under  Crazy  Horse,  and  the  comnumd  was  organized  with  that 
rp(iuirenient  in  view.  It  consisted  of  forr  hundreu  and  thirty- 
six  men  of  the  Fifth  and  the  Twent>  econd  Infantry,  and 
i-"{\  Mieces  of  artillery.  These  held  guns  were  concealed  by 
I  bows  and  spreading  canvas  over  them  as  is  usual  for 
jon  covers,  and  by  moving  them  with  the  wagon-train  in 
such  a  way  as  to  prevent  them  from  being  noted  as  lipid  guns  by  the  In- 
dians. 

The  snow  was  then  a  foot  deep  on  a  level,  and  in  numy  places  it  proved 
to  be  much  deeper.  The  wagon-trains  and  troops  marched  over  the  ice  in 
the  valley  of  the  Tongue  River,  and  after  considerable  delay  reached  the 
vicinity  i)f  the  Indian  camp,  having  a  few  skirmishes  on  the  way,  and 
being  somewhat  annoyed  l)y  the  presence  of  parties  of  the  enemy.  We 
lost  t\vo  of  our  men  who  were  surprised  and  killed  by  a  small  band  of  In- 
dians. The  camp  was  found  to  be  located  on  the  Tongue  River,  extending 
along  that  stream  a  distance  of  three  miles  above  Otter  Creek,  and  as  the 
command  approached  them,  the  Indians  moved  farther  up  the  stream 
toward  the  Big  Horn  Mountains  to  what  they  supposed  to  be  a  safe  dis- 
tance. 

On  January  7.  following,  the  advance  guard  captured  a  small  party  of 
Indians,  including  one  young  warrior,  four  women  and  three  children. 
This  evoit  afterward  proved  of  consideral)le  importance,  as  they  wore 
relatives  of  some  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  the  hostile  camp.  That 
evening  an  attempt  was  made  by  a  band  of  about  three  hundred  warrioi-s 


(JKNKltAI.  NKLSON   A.  MILKS. 


237 


m 


lii- 


oi-s 


to  recapture  them,  which  resulted  in  a  sharp  skirniish  and  tlie  repulse  of 
the  Indians. 

On  the  morning  of  the  Sth  the  command  dephned  to  meet  and  iittack 
the  main  body  of  warriors,  led  by  Crazy  Horse,  Little  Big  Man,  White  Ihdl, 
Big  Crow,  Two  Moons,  Hump  and  other  itrominent  chiefs  of  the  Cheyeinu^s 
and Ogalallas.  The  country  was  very  rough  —  mountainous  in  fact  ;  jind  as 
the  Indians  moved  down  the  valley  to  encounter  the  troops  they  evi<lently 
had  every   confidence   of  nuiking  it  another  nuissacre. 

They    outnumbered     the  lfiw'/#  troops  more  than  two  to  on(>, 

and    must    have    had    at     ^      W^^^         least    a    thousand   warriors 
o  u    t  h  e  IBs.    m^i^        held.       From     the    heights 

overlook- 


Ynr  IIavk  Had  Yoi  it  I.ast  Breakfast.' 


ing  the  valley  where  they  ^* 

had  stationed  themselves  they  called  out 

to  the  troops,  '"  You  have  had  your  last 

breakfast,"  and   similar  expressions   of 

aerision  for  the  troops  and  of  c oniidence 

ii'  themselves.  Some  (>i  ou'  scouts,  particularly  Yellowstone  Kelley,  who 
understood  the  Sioux  and  c(»uld  reply  to  them  in  their  own  language,  re- 
sponded with  equal  defiance,  challenging  them  to  the  encounter,  and 
shouting  back  to  tlieni  that  they  were  all  "  women." 

As  the  fight  opened  the  canvas  covers  were  stripped  off  from  the  pieces 
of  artillery,  and  the  two  Napoleon  guns  exploded  shells  within  their  lines, 
creating  great  consternation  and  the  reechoing  of  the  guns  through  the 


.i*l' 


)■>■ 

'I 


1 


•I 


.m 

m 

i 

]  '^1 


288 


PKHSONAL  llblCOLLKCTIOXS  (W 


§ 


m 


j ' '! ! 


hi    IE:     i 


t 


m 


vjilloy.  while  it  pave  the  troops  much  eonhdeii('(\  mulov.j.truly  mniti[)Iied 
the  miiuher  of  our  puns  in  the  estimation  of  tiie  Indians  themselves.  At 
one  time  they  had  completely  sunounded  thecomm-  nd.  hut  the  key  of  the 
position  was  a  hiph  hliitt'  to  the  left  of  tiie  line  of  troops,  and  the  sharpest 
tiphtinp  was  for  the  l)ossession  of  this  piouiid.  The  Indians  who  held  it 
were  led  by  Bip  Crow  a  "medicine  num."  who  had  woik(»d  himself  up  to 
such  a  frenzy  that  he  had  made  th<'  Indians  believe  tluit  his  medicine  was 
so  strong  that  the  white  men  could  not  harm  him.  lie  rushed  out  in  front 
of  the  warriors,  attired  in  the  most  porpc'oiis  Indian  battle  costume  of  the 
brightest  colors,  and  with  a  headdress  made  of  the  waving  [)luinesof  the  eaple 
falling  down  his  back,  jumped  ui)and  down,  ran  in  a  circle  and  whooped  and 
yelled.  Our  men  turned  their  puns  ui)on  him.  but  for  several  minutes  he  was 
unharmed,  uotwithstaiulinp  their  efforts  to  reach  him  with  their  riHes. 

'V\w\\  a  charpe  was  uuide  by  tr()()i)s  under  Majors  C*asey  iv<u\  Butler,  and 
Captains  McDonald  and  Maldwin.  It  was  done  with  splendid  courape.  vim 
and  determination,  althouph  the  men  were  so  eiu'umbered  with  their  heavy 
winter  clothiup.  and  the  snow  was  so  dee[».  that  it  was  impossible  to  move 
faster  than  a  slow  walk.  Captain  Baldwin  was  consiticuous  in  this  charpe 
for  his  boldness  and  excellent  judpment.  In  the  very  midst  of  his  darinp 
acts  of  bravado.  Bip  Crow  fell,  pierced  by  a  riHe  shot,  and  his  loss,  topether 
with  the  succet-s  of  th(>  charpe  that  had  been  nuide  and  the  important 
pround  pained,  seemed  to  cause  a  panic  anionp  the  Indians,  and  they  im- 
mediately Hed  in  utter  rout  up  the  valley  down  which  they  had  come  a 
few  hours  before  with  such  confidence. 

The  latter  part  of  the  enpapement  occurred  durinp  a  snowstorm,  which 
added  an  inexpressible  weirdness  to  the  scene.  1  think  every  officer  and 
soldier  realized  the  desperate  nature  of  this  encounter,  the  command  beiup 
then  between  three  and  four  hundred  miles  from  any  raih'OJid  or  settlement. 
If  they  had  met  with  disaster  it  would  have  been  many  weeks  before  any 
reli^vinp  command  could  have  reached  the  pround  from  the  nearest  possi- 
ble source  of  aid.  Every  officer  and  soldier  knew  that  a  mistakv?  meant 
disaster,  and  disaster  or  defeat  neant  annihilation,  and  were  therefore  in- 
spired to  deeds  of  heroism  and  fortitude  and  a  correspondinp  confidence. 
The  fiphtinp  that  occurred  on  the  left  of  the  line,  as  already  described,  was 
for  a  time  very  close  and  desperate.  The  backs  of  those  retreating  war- 
riors presented  the  most  delightful  picture,  as  it  then  seemed  to  us,  that  it 
was  ever  our  fortune  to  see  on  the  opening  of  a  new  year. 

While  the  enpapement  was  not  of  such  a  serious  character  as  to  cause 
great  loss  of  life  on  either  side,  yet  it  demonstmted  the  fact  that  we  could 


jUi   i 


GKXEHAI,  NKI-SON    A.   MII.KS. 


239 


) 


niovo  in  any  part  of  the  roiintry  in  tlio  mi«lst  of  \vint(M'.  and  liiiiit  tlm 
enemy  down  in  their  camps  \vln»nn(M'  they  mi;^'lit  take  refuj^'c.  In  this 
way. constantly  pursuing'  them.  \\v  had  made  tiieni  realize  that  there  was  no 
peace  or  safety  for  them  wliih^  they  remained  in  a  hostile  attitnde.  After 
aceomplishin;^'  what  we  had  set  out  for,  we  returned  to  the  cantonment  on 
the  Yellowstone.  l»rin<iin^'  with  us  the  captives  l»ef(H'<Mnentioned.  These 
were  placed  und<'i'  a  stronjr  {/uard  and  i)roperly  protected.  They  were 
kindly  treated,  well  fed  and  well  clothed. 

Their  capture  proved  to  he  an  important  atTair,  as  remaikcnl,  in  afl'oid- 
injjj  a  means  of  communication  with  the  hostile  camps.  I  sent  Scout  .lohn 
Brujjjhier  w  ith  two  of  the 
ing  the  t(M-ms  upon  which 
cepted,  namely,  uncondi- 
compliance  with  such  or- 
from  thehi^dier 
the  same  tinu'  .1- 
tliat  in  case  (tf 
ance  the  troops 
against  them, 
formed  this 
and  daiijj^rrous 
as  sul)so'i.ient 
similar  nai  nre, 
a  n  d  courage, 
long  journey 
deep  snow,  he 
ho  stiles  had 
retreat  from 
of  Januarys,  as 


.Tons  Rid  (■■iiii:it.  ScdiT. 


cai»tives,  Fehruary  1,  ofFer- 
a  suri-ender  would  l»e  ac- 
tional, with  suhse(inenfc 
ders  as  should  he  received 
authorities,  at 
informingthem 
a  m)ncompli- 
w  o  n  1  d  move 
Hrughier  per- 
most  valuahle 
service,  as  well 
services  of  a 
with  great  skill 
Making  the 
through  very 
found  that  the 
continued  their 
the  battlefield 
far    as   to    the 


base  of  the  Big  Horn  Mountains,  and  had  camped  on  the  Little  Horn,  a 
tributary  of  the  Little  Big  Horn. 

This  was  a  very  daring  expedition  for  Brughier  to  undertake,  and  he 
did  not  attempt  it  without  serious  doubts  as  to  his  being  al)le  to  get  into 
their  camp.  He  believed  that  if  he  was  once  there,  he  would  find 
some  of  his  friends  who  would  protect  him;  but  what  he  feared  was 
being  killed  as  he  approached  the  camp.  However,  he  succeeded  in 
reaching  there  safely,  and  found  the  Indians  encamped  in  the  deep  snow 
and  suffering  greatly  from  the  cold,  while  their  horses  were  dying  from 
exposure. 


i 


IP 


I 


iii 


(:  'H 


!([    ^M 


:,'       ! 


■I: 


240 


PKUSONAI,  KK('()I,I,K(TI()NS  OK 


Tlio  rotiirn  of  lln»  Iiuliaiis  who  accoinpanicMl  him  was  a  ^reat  surprise 
ho  thci  lri«Mi(is  and  rchitivcs.  Th<'  fact  tiiat  thoy  had  \)ovu  limuanoly  and 
properly  treated  in  a.  large  (•ain[>  of  soldiers  with  whom  they  had  heen  in 
hostile  relations  was  something  not  counted  on,  and  was  a  surprise  to  the 
savages,  making  a  very  favorahle  impressi(>n  i;pon  tluMU.  Tliey  were  dis- 
posed to  consider  kindly  the  demand  for  their  surrender.  The  captives 
themselves  acted  as  messengers  of  peace,  and  were  very  active  in  assuring 
their  liostile  hrethren  that  the  Indians,  who  were  still  in  our  hands,  luul 
been  e(|ually  well  treated,  and  urged  their  people  to  accept  the  terms  of 
the  government  and  put  themselves  under  its  control. 

The  result  was  that  Hrughier's  mission  was  so  successfully  accomi)lished 
that  on  February  It),  he  returned  with  nineteen  Indians,  nuiinly  chiefs  and 
leading  warriors,  who  desired  to  know  the  exa«'t  conditions  upon  which 
they  could  surrender.  The  terms  as  above  given  were  repeated;  and  in 
various  councils  and  frank  and  free  comniuiiications  a  feeling  of 
confidence  and  good  faith  was  engendered,  which  has  never  been  dis- 
turbed so  far  as  relates  to  the  Indians  who  sul)se4uently  surrendered 
there. 

The  Indians  in  council  were  treated  with  Hrnmess,  but  also  with  kind- 
ness, and  given  to  understand  that  if  they  would  surrender  they  would  re- 
ceive just  treatment,  but  if  they  would  not.  the  harshest  measures  of  war 
would  be  resumed  against  them.  They  returned  to  their  camp  with  ap- 
parently good  impressions  and  good  intentions. 

Almost  immediately  after  their  departure  a  singular  tragedy  occurred 
in  the  little  band  of  Indian  pris(mers  held  in  our  hands.  One  morning  soon 
after  sunrise  a  sharp  pistol  shot  was  heard  in  one  of  their  tents,  and  the  officer 
of  the  day  and  one  of  the  guard  went  to  ascertain  the  cause.  He  found 
that  a  young  and  handsome  Indian  woman  of  about  twenty-two  years  of 
age  had  committed  suicide.  Much  to  his  astonishment  he  found  that  all 
that  time  she  had  kept  secreted  about  her  person  the  little  pocket  pistol 
with  which  she  had  Knally  taken  her  life.  On  making  incpiiries  through 
the  interpreter  it  was  found  that  she  had  a  lover  in  the  Indian  camp  to 
whom  she  was  most  devotedly  attached,  and  the  fact  that  he  had  not  ac- 
companied the  delegation  for  the  purpose  of  seeing  her.  if  for  no  other,  so 
preyed  upon  her  mind  that  she  became  heart-l)roken  at  the  thought  that 
he  had  cared  so  little  for  her.  She  had  made  inquiries  concerning  him  of 
the  w^arriors  w'lio  had  come  in.  and  they  had  told  her  that  he  was  indiffer- 
ent to  her.  so  believing  that  her  love  was  not  reciprocated  she  had  taken 
her  own  life. 


GENKRAI.  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


241 


Tli(»  fact.  jiH  we  aftenvtrd  asrortaiiiod,  was  that  tins  young  man  was 
out  hunting  buffaloes  at  the  tinio  the  party  was  inthuiod  t«  start  for  our 
camp,  and  did  not  know  of  their  coming  until  it  was  too  late.  She  was 
buried  near  the  cantonnHMit,  and.  when  lu»r  relatives  finally  canu^  in  and 
surrendered,  a  strange  and  tragic  scene  was  enacted.  Her  neai'(\st  relatives 
gathered  about  the  grave  moaning  and  bewailing  her  loss,  and  several  of 
them  took  their  knives  and  slashed  their  tsu'es  and  p<M'sons  until  they  were 
covered  witii  blood.  The  wonuMi  wen^  especially  demonstrative,  falling 
upon  each  other's  necks  and  weeping,  while  the  male  Indians  maintained 
their  accustomed  stoical  silence  and  dignity.  One  was  noticed  to  pick  up 
a  little  child  and  hold  it  in  his  arms  during  the  scene  of  mourning,  but 
upon  his  face  you  could  discern  no  more  emotion  than  upon  that  of  a  bronze 
statue,  although  the  ollicers  and  soldiers  were  greatly  moved  by  the 
sight. 

While  these  measures  were  being  taken  to  persuade  the  Indians  to  sur- 
render, the  most  active  efToi'ts  were  being  made  at  the  cantonment  to 
equip  the  comnuind  for  another  expedition  if  it  should  be  necessary,  though 
it  certainly  was  not  desired  by  anyone  in  the  comnuind.  If  it  could  be 
avoided,  we  did  not  care  to  again  encounter  th  ^  large  l)odies  of  hostile  In- 
dians on  their  own  familiar  ground,  or  endure  the  severity  of  that  terrible 
climate. 

On  the  return  of  the  nineteen  chiefs  their  runners  and  criers  went 
through  the  camp  announcing  that  the  war  was  over,  and  the  camp  im- 
mediately commenced  to  move  in  the  direction  of  our  cantonment,  passing 
over  the  divide  froni  tlie  Little  IJig  Horn  across  to  Tongue  River,  and  down 
that  stream  to  the  mouth  of  Otter  Creek.  There  they  were  met  by  runners 
from  Spotted  Tail,  the  principal  chief  of  the  peaceful  Sioux,  offering  more 
favorable  terms  than  had  been  given  by  me,  and  including  the  right  to 
retain  their  guns  and  ponies,  and  to  obtain  ammunition.  The  main  body 
of  the  Indians  then  halted  and  went  into  camp,  and  a  larger  delegation  of 
the  leading  chiefs  and  warriors  came  in  to  find  whether  like  terms  could 
be  obtained  from  me. 

Another  council  was  held,  and  I  heard  their  statements  and  their  wishes 
in  regard  to  better  terms,  but  all  I  could  do  was  to  announce  to  them  the 
desire  of  the  government  to  maintain  peace  in  that  region,  and  that  the 
troops  would  be  used  constantly  and  incessantly  until  the  wished-for  results 
were  accomplished.  I  informed  them  that  it  was  my  earnest  wish  to  be 
their  friend,  rather  than  their  enemy,  but  that  I  must  continue  to  be  their 
enemy  until  they  placed  themselves  in  subjection  to  the  government.    My 


wi 


242 


PERSONAL  KECOLI.fiCTlONS  OF 


t:^ 


intention  was  to  impress  upon  them  the  ponei*  of  the  government,  and  at 
the  same  time  its  purpose  to  treat  them  justly  and  humanely. 

At  the  close  of  my  remarks  the  entire  body  of  Indians,  more  than  a 
hundred  in  number,  remained  in  absolute  silence  for  several  minutes, 
which  reminded  me  of  a  statement  1  had  read,  written  by  Benjamin  Frank- 
lin more  than  a  hundred  years  before;  ami  if  this  silence  was  a  mark  of 
civility  it  was  the  cause  of  the  most  painful  anxiety  on  my  part  as  the 
moments  went  slowly  by.  At  last  a  stalwart  Indian  by  the  name  of  Littlo 
Chief  rose.     Throwing  back  his  buffalo  robe  from  his  shoulders,  and  letting 


SrRRENnnu  OP  Littmc  Ciiikk 


all  the  covering  he  had  on  down  to  his  waist  fall  gracefully  about  his  loins 
to  his  feet,  he  looked  an  ideal  chief,  standing  over  six  feet  in  height,  and 
being  slender,  sinewy  and  muscular.  His  features  were  prominent, 
sharp  and  regular;  his  cheekbones  were  high,  and  his  lips  thin  and  severe; 
and  he  looked,  as  we  afterward  learned  that  he  was,  the  orator  of  the 
Northern  Cheyennes.  The  scars  of  the  sun-dance  were  very  prominent  on 
his  ui)per  arms  and  breast,  and  dignity  and  grace  marked  his  every  move- 
ment and  gesture. 


I 


1  (■ 


at 

a 

*s, 
k- 
of 
le 
lo 
'g 


(JKNEKAL  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


243 


He  comniencctl  by  proclaiming?  that  he  was  a  chief  as  his  fathers  had 
been  before  him  for  many  generations;  that  tiiey  had  lived  in  that  country 
from  time  immemorial  and  regarded  it  as  their  own,  and  that  they  looked 
upon  us  as  invaders.  In  the  course  of  his  remarks  he  gave  the  Indian  side 
of  the  great  question,  proclaiming  that  they  had  been  wronged,  and  that 
the  whites  were  the  aggressors.  He  hnally  came  to  the  i)oint  in  which  I 
was  most  interested.     He  said  : 

'"  Wo  iiro  wtNik.  ciomparixl  willi  v<>u  and  your  forcos  ;  w(>  aro  out  of  ammuiiitioii  ;  we 
uunnot  iiiuko  a  rillis  a  round  of  amiiiuiiition,<)r  a  knife  ;  in  fat-t  wfarc  at  tlic  uuTcy  of  those 
who  aro  taking  possession  of  our  countrv  ;  yonr  tt'rnis  are  harsh  and  cruel,  but  we  are  go- 
ing to  accept  tiieni  and  phico  ourselves  at  your  mercy." 

Of  all  the  elo(iuent  words  1  have  ever  listened  to,  these  were  the  most 
delightful  to  me,  and  they  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  through  my  heart  as  I  real- 
ized that  our  work  had  been  acct)mplished,  and  our  toils  and  sacrifices 
were  at  an  end.  Little  Chief  concluded  by  saying  that  some  of  their 
number  would  go  down  and  surrendei-  at  the  agencies  where  their  relatives 
were,  while  others  desired  to  surrender  to  the  military  and  renuiin  on  th^ 
YoUowstone. 

They  were  told  that  if  they  so  desired  a  few  of  their  number  could  be 
sent  to  Washington.  This  offer  was  declined,  one  prominent  chief  saying 
that  he  had  been  to  Washington  once,  and  had  been  shown  a  map  and 
been  told  that  a  large  part  of  the  country  must  ])e  occupied  by  white  men 
and  that  the  Indians  must  keep  off  from  it;  but  over  in  one  little  corner 
of  the  map  a  place  was  reserved  as  huPan  land,  where  the  Indians  were  to 
live  and  the  white  people  were  to  keej)  off  from  it;  but  the  men  that  told  him 
that  lied,  for  the  white  men  did  not  keep  off  of  it.  "You  have  )iot  lied 
yet,"  he  continued,  "and  I  am  going  to  try  you  and  am  coming  in  here. 
I  am  going  to  surrender  to  you." 

Little  Hawk,  the  uncle  of  Crazy  Horse,  and  others,  guaranteed  to  take 
him  and  the  entire  camp  to  the  lower  agiMU'ies  and  surrendei'  there,  oi' 
else  bring  them  in  and  make  them  surrender  at  our  cantonmeuL  As  a 
pledge  of  their  good  faith  they  agreed  to  leave  promincMit  men  as  hostages 
in  the  hands  of  the  military,  and  to  this  end.  White  Ihill,  or  The  Ice.  as  he 
was  sometimes  called,  the  head  chief  of  the  Northern  Cheyennes.  rose  in 
his  place  and  said  he  would  renuiin  as  hostage  for  the  good  faith  of  the 
Northern  Cheyennes.  Hump,  head  warrior  of  the  Ogalallas.  to  which  band 
Crazy  Horse  belonged,  rose  and  said  he  would  renuiin  as  hostage  for  the 
tribe  of  Ogalallas.  T!;;\-.e  were  foliowcMl  l)y  sev(Mi  ])romineut  men  and 
warriors,  until  they  were  checked  by  my  saying  that  wo  required  no  nu)re; 


II 


244 


TKKSOXAI.  KKCOLI-KCnOXS  Ol' 


III  '!  • 


;-lu 


that  1  ])elievecl  tliey  were  acting  in  good  taitli  and  intended  to  do  as  tliey 
jironiised. 

These  prominent  hostages  rennii ned  in  camp  nnder  close  military  snr- 
veillance.  and  the  large  (ielegation  left  immediately  for  their  camp,  then  Ite- 
tween  the  Tongne  and  Powder  liivers.  The  resnlt  was  that  more  than 
three  hnndred  followers  of  Two  ]\loons.  White  IhiU,  Hump,  Horse  iioad 
and  others,  surrendered  on  April  '2'2.  and  the  larger  part  of  the  remain- 
ing camp,  numbering  more  than  two  thousand  persons,  led  ))y  Crazy  Horse. 

Little  liig  Man.  The  Rock  and  others, 
moved  south  and  surrendered  at  Ked 
Cloud,  Spotted  Tail  and  other  agen- 
cies. 

In  the  meantime  Sitting  Bull  had 
gathered  his  cam[)  south  of  the  Yel- 
lowstone and  when  Crazy  Horse's  fol- 
lowing decided  to  i)lace  themselves 
under  subjection  to  the  government, 
he.  in  older  to  avoid  surrendering  and 
to  esca[»e  further  pursuit,  retreated  to 
the  northei'n  ))oundary  and  sought 
i'(>fuge  on  Canadian  soil.  His  follow- 
ing was  then  in  a  very  destitute  con- 
(htion.  almost  entirely  out  of  ammu- 
nition, having  lost  nearly  everything 
except  their  guns  and  ponies.  'J'liey 
remained  on  liritish  territory  for  two 
years,  when  they  hually  all  I'eturned 
WiuTi:  I'.i  1,1,  AM)  HoKsi:  Kcah.  ^ud  surrendered. 

There  was  one  camp,  however,  with  nearly  sixty  lodges,  chiefly  ]\Iinne- 
conjoux  under  Lame  Deei'.  who  declared  that  they  would  never  surrender, 
antl  would  roam  where  they  pleased,  and  that  they  were  going  over  to  the 
Rosebud  to  hunt  bufl'aioes.  and  they  actually  did  start  westward  for  that  pur- 
pose. Lame  Deer  had  been  told  througli  an  interpreter  that  unless  he  sur- 
rendered, the  trooi)s  w^ould  come  out  after  him  and  bring  him  in.  He  de- 
clared that  he  had  good  scouts  and  that  no  white  man  could  get  near  his 
camp  or  capture  his  people. 

When  the  Indians  came  in  they  were  recjuired  to  give  up  their  war 
poni<»s  and  arms,  and  these  ponies  were  sold  and  the  proceeds  used  in 
purchasing  a  herd  of  cattle  which  was  divided  and  given  to  the  difi'erent 


i 


war 
'd  in 
nent 


UJ 

< 

Q. 

LU 

X 


z 


z 
< 
a 

z 


I':     , 


il 


^ 


w 

in, 


I 


r 

I 

k 

I 

1 

GENEUAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


247 


-^> 


Indian  families.  The  Indians  were  fed  on  the  soldier's  rations  nntil 
spring,  when  they  were  told  that  it  was  the  custom  of  the  white  people 
to  plant  fields  of  grain  and  raise  food  for  their  own  sustenance.  Many 
of  the  Indians  had  never  ))ef()re  been  to  an  Indian  agency,  and  knew  abso- 
lutely nothing  of  the  .  rt  of  agriculture.  When  told  that  the  white  men 
made  gardens,  and  that  it  was  a  good  example  for  them,  they  cheerfully 
acquiesced,  and  one  man.  White  Bull,  said  he  wanted  to  plant  a  garden  of 
raisins.  On  inquiring  the  reason  for  this  desire  he  replied  that  the  best 
food  that  the  white  man  had,  so  far  as  he  had  been  able  to  find  out,  was 
raisins,  so  he  wanted  to  plant  his  garden  "ith  them. 

The  army  teams  were  used  in  breaking  the  turf  and  cultivating  I:he 
ground,  and  the  Indians  all  went  to  work  'v\  good  spirits.  During  the  sev- 
eral years  that  they  remained  there  they  were  largely  self-supporting,  in- 
dustrious and  happy.  When  they  first  came  in  they  were  perfectly  wild, 
some  of  them  never  having  seen  white  people  before,  yet  in  their  wild  con- 
dition they  were  strong  and  healthy,  and  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  the 
camp  reported  that  there  was  not  i'o  case  of  contagious  disease  among  them. 


■\hmio' 


\%  l 


248 


PKltSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XTX. 
The  Lame  Deer  '"xpedition. 


M  n 


B| 


If. 


'-^f^^ 


Composition  ok  tiik  Command —  Hkoinnincj   tiik   Makcii  —  Wioathiok  —  Sharp  Indian  Eyk    — 

Ai'PKOACiiiNd  TiiH  Camp  —  Tiik  Ativu-k  —  A  Ci.ohic  Cam.  —  Lussios  —  Tiiic    Kktihn  — 

MoiNTiN(i  Tin:  Iniantky  —  A  Ciiuts  with  Indian  IIuhsis  —  Fui.i.nwiNti  thi:  Hk- 

TKKATiNo  Indians — ^^  intku  in  tiik  Xoktiiwkst  —  <iiKKi!  Pkcimakitiks 

OF  Indian  Fkkt — Kink  Spkcimkns  ok  thio  Rack — N'lsrr  ok 

(iKXBRAL  SlIKK.MAX  —  KkPOKT  OK  (iKNKKAI.  SlIKUIDAN. 

T  the  same  time  us  we  were  making  these  dispositions  of  tlie 
surrendered,  a  command  was  being  e(iuipped  to  teach  Lame 
Deer  and  his  band  that,  contrary  to  his  opinion,  the  white  men 
could  approach  his  \  illage. 

After  their  people  had  surrendered  and  confidence  had  lieen 
restored,  it  was  explained  to  White  Bull,  The  Ice,  Brave  Wolf, 
Hump  and  others  who  had  acted  as  hostages  at  the  cantonment, 
now  Fort  Keogh,  that  it  was  very  important  that  the  only  hostile 
camp  left  in  the  country  should  be  lirought  in.  They  acquiesced  fully, 
and  in  fact  seemed  much  incensed  because  Lame  Deer  had  stayed  out, 
knowing  that  his  depredations  would  be  charged  to  their  people  who  were 
disposed  to  remain  at  peace.  When  the  command  was  ready  to  move. 
May  2, 1S77,  three  of  these  men  w^ere  taken  along  as  guides,  as  they  w^ere 
well  acquainted  with  the  habits  and  haunts  of  those  who  were  still 
hostile. 

Four  troops  of  the  Second  Cavalry  had  been  sent  to  report  to  me.  With 
this  (omniand,  and  two  companies  of  the  Fifth  Infantry  and  four  of  the 
Twentj'-second  Infantry,  I  started  up  Tongue  Riv^r  on  the  5th  of  IMay,  and 
after  a  march  of  sixty-three  miles  from  the  Yellowstone  I  crossed  the  trail 
of  Lame  Deer's  camp  where  he  had  moved  w  est  toward  the  Rose])ud  about 
the  middle  of  April.  Foreseeing  that  some  of  their  men  would  be  watch- 
ing our  command,  we  passed  on  as  if  apparently  not  seeking  their  camp,  or 
noticing  their  trail.  After  a  short  march  beyond  the  trail,  the  command 
went  into  camp  apparently  for  the  night,  on  the  Tongue  River.  Then  after 
dark,  leaving  our  wagon-train  with  an  escort  of  throe  infantry  companies, 
we  marched  directly  west  under  cover  of  the  darkness  with  the  renuiinder 


CiENKHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


249 


of  the  command,  as  strai^lit  across  the  country  as  it  w^.s  possible  to 
move  a  body  of  mounted  troops. 

Although  it  ra'ned  during  a  part  Oi  the  night  we  marched  as  rapidly  as 
was  possible  in  a  country  of  that  broken  character,  a  distance  of  some 
thirty  miles  to  a  high  divide  between  the  Rosebud  and  Big  Horn,  known  as 
a  spur  of  the  Wolf  Mountains,  Here  I  concealed  the  command  in  a  pocket 
of  the  mountains  —  a  term  used  for  describing  ashortvalle>  surrounded  on 
all  sides  except  the  entrance  by  high  bluffs  or  ridges.  As  soon  as  daylight 
appeared  a  few  soldiers  and  scouts  were  sent  out  to  carefully  reconnoitre 
the  (jountry.  They  found  that  the  camp  of  Lame  Deer  had  passed  only  a 
few  days  before.  Both  the  white  scouts  and  the  Indians  displayed  great 
skill  and  caution  in  discovering  the  traces  of  the  hostile  camp  and  conceal- 
ing their  own  niovements,  and  from  the  top  of  a  high  peak  they  discovered 
the  Indian  village  some  fifteen  miles  away  in  an  air  line. 

Hera  we  had  j;n  exhibition  of  the  sharpness  of  the  eyes  of  the  Indians, 
accustomed  to  hunting  game.  When  hrst  seen  the  camp  was  not  recognized 
by  the  white  men,  but  the  Indians  declared  tint  they  could  see  the  smoke 
over  the  village.  To  me  it  looked  like  mist  (»r  a  white  cloud  against  the 
side  of  the  mountain  until  T  examined  it  more  carefully  with  a  glass.  The 
Indians  also  announced  that  they  could  see  ponies  grazing  on  the  hills. 
This  was  discovered  to  be  correct  by  their  companions,  but  not  without 
using  their  field  glasses. 

How  to  get  to  this  camp  was  the  next  (luestion.  It  was  impossible  to 
approach  it  during  the  daytime,  so  the  command  was  concealed  until  night 
and  then  moved  a  short  distance  up  one  ravine  and  down  another,  all  the 
time  keeping  under  cover  of  the  hills  so  as  not  to  be  discovered.  In  that 
way  we  approached  p,  point  within  eight  miles  of  the  village,  where  we  re- 
mained until  one  o'clock  the  next  morning.  Then  we  started  again  and 
moved  slowly  to  the  valley  of  the  Kosebnd,  then  up  that  valley  for 
two  or  three  miles,  and  at  four  o'clock.  May  7,  just  at  the  dawn  of  day,  we 
found  ourselves  in  close  proximity  to  the  Indian  village. 

In  striking  contrast  to  toi-mer  campaigns,  at  this  time  the  prairies  were 
covered  with  green  grass,  the  trees  were  in  full  foliage,  the  air  was  tilled 
with  the  odor  of  flowers,  and  the  birds  were  singing.  If  we  had  been  go- 
ing to  some  peaceful  festival,  the  scene  could  not  have  been  more  propitious. 

The  dismounted  troops  were  una-»le  to  follow  at  the  ra))id  i)ace  that  the 
mounted  connnand  found  necessary  in  order  to  enable  them  to  reach  the 
inimediate  vicinity  of  the  Indians  just  at  dawn,  or  as  near  that  time  as 
possible.  The  canij)  was  on  a  tributary  of  the  Host'bud  known  to  the  white 

.M--i5 


1  I 


m 


250 


PKHSONAL  HKCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


1  i. 


I'     i!  : 


men  as  the  Bi^  Mvuldy,  Imt  called  by  the  linliaiis  "Fat  Horse  Creek."  They 
had  ^ivtn  it  tliis  name  hecanse  in  si)rin^  the  ^rass  there  was  so  abundant 
and  rich  that  tiieir  horses  feeding  upon  it  always  j^'rew  stronjij  and  fat. 

The  mounted  infantry  and  scouts  under  Lieutenants  Casey  and  Jerome 
were  ordered  to  charge  directly  up  tlie  valley  and  stampede  the  Indian 
horses,  while  the  battalion  of  cavalry  followed  at  a  gallop  and  attacked  the 
camp.  This  attack  V\as  gallantly  uuide.  The  comnuiud  under  Lieutenants 
Casey  and  Jerome  stampeded  the  entire  herd  of  vuiies  ho  ses  and  mules, 
four  hundred  and  Hfty  in  \  inbev,  and  di"  <>  th  m  \<\..  [wAc.  up  the  valley, 
where  they  rounded  them  up  and  by  a  long  civct  if  !)r;ii  ;rht  them  around 
to  the  rear  of  tlie  command  which  was  engaging  the      uiian* , 

When  attacked,  the  Indians  tied  from  tlieir  camp,  taiviii{.  only  what 
they  carried  in  their  hands,  up  among  the  high  bluffs  and  rugged  hills  in 
that  vicinity. 

Our  loss  was  four  soldiers  killed,  one  officer  and  six  soldiers  wounded. 
There  were  fourteen  hulian  warriors  killed  and  many  wounded. 

In  the  surprise  and  excitement  of  the  wild  onset  of  the  charge,  a  group 
of  warriors  was  I'orced  away  from  the  others  and  became  separated  from 
the  rest  of  the  tribe.  Before  making  the  attack  I  had  ordered  our  Sioux 
and  Che.yenne  Indians  to  call  out  to  the  Lame  Deer  Indians  that  if  they 
threw  down  their  arms  and  surremlered  we  would  s[)are  their  lives.  I  was 
anxious  to  capture  some  of  them  alive,  as  we  hoped  thereby  to  secure  the 
surrender  of  all  the  Indians  in  the  camp.  As  we  galloped  up  to  this 
group  of  warriors  they  apparently  recognized  the  purport  of  the  demand 
and  dropped  their  arms  upon  the  ground.  In  order  to  assure  them  of  our 
goodwill,  I  called  out  "How-how-kola"  (meaning  tViend)  and  extended  my 
hand  to  the  Chief,  Lame  Deer,  which  he  grasped,  and  in  a  few  seconds  more 
I  would  have  secured  him  and  the  others,  as,  although  he  was  wild  and 
trembling  with  excitement,  my  adjutant,  George  W.  Baird,  was  doing  the 
same  with  the  head  warrior.  Iron  Star.  Unfortunately  just  at  that  time 
one  of  our  white  scouts  rode  up  and  joined  the  group  of  officers  and  sol- 
diers with  me.  He  had  more  enthusiasm  than  discretion,  and  I  presume 
desired  to  insure  my  safety,  as  he  drew  up  his  ritle  and  covered  the  Indian 
with  it.  Lame  Deer  saw  this  and  evidently  thought  the  young  scout 
was  going  to  shoot  him.  I  know  of  no  other  motive  for  his  subsequent 
act  than  the  belief  that  he  was  to  be  killed  w'hether  he  surrendered  or  not. 
As  quick  as  thought,  with  one  desperate,  powerful  effort,  he  wrenched  his 
hand  from  mine,  although  I  tried  to  hold  it,  and  grasped  his  rifle  from  the 
ground,   ran  backward  a  few  steps,  raised  his  riiie  to  his  eye  and  fired. 


iH 


lil 


\ 


(iENKKAl,  NKLSON  A.  .MILKS. 


251 


SeMii^' liis(l('t(M-mino(l  fa,  e.  Ins  sot  jaw.  wild  eye.  and  tli(M)i)en  muzzle  of  liis 
n"'"  .  I  I'oalizo'l  my  uaii;^'or  and  insiaiitly  whirled  my  liorse  from  liim,  and 
in  Iii^  (inicK  mov ment  the  horse  s!ifj:htly  settled  hack  upon  his  liaunches ; 
at  hat  momc  it  the  ritie  flashed  v.ihin  ten  feet  of  me.  the  hullet  whizzed 
pii  t  my  '»reast.  leaMU*,'  me  unharmed  hut  unf(>rtuiuitely  killin*;  a  brave  sol- 
dier near  my  side.  Iron  Star  hi'oke  away  from  Atljutant  liaird  at  the  same 
time,  T'lis  intiamtiy  ended  all  efforts  to  seeure  their  peaceful  surrender  and 
opened  a  hot  tiyht  that  lasted  hut  a  few  seconds.     \  dozen  rifles  and  re- 


iiXi.iiiri       ,AHHi 

i/m;    *■  ^^ 


is^^^ 


Lamk  I)i:i:i{  FiKi.sd  at  (iknkkai,  Mii,i;s. 

volvers  were  opened  on  the  scattered  warriors  who  were  ti^ditin^  us,  and 
all  went  down  quickly  beneath  the  accurate,  close  Jind  deadly  Hre.  The 
whole  incident  was  over  in  a  much  less  time  than  it  takes  to  describe  it. 

The  main  object  of  our  expedition  being  now  accomplished,  and  not 
desiring  to  risk  more  lives  in  an  encounter  than  the  circumstances  abso- 
lutely demanded,  we  turned  back  and  bivouacked  at  Lame  Deer's  camp, 
^vhich  Wi  s  one  of  the  richest  I  had  ever  seen.  It  was  composed  of  hfty- 
one  beautiful  lodges,  richly  stored  with  robes,  horse-e(iuipments.  and  every 
other  species  of  Indian  property.     Whatever  was  desired  by  the  troops  was 


h\k^. 


I'M  I 


I      . 


252 


PKFtSONAL  RKCOLI-ECTIONS  OF 


taken  possession  of  and  the  remainder  l)urned.  Tlie  lierd  of  horses  were 
round,  fat,  sleei<  and  in  excellent  condition. 

During  the  enjjfaj^enient.  Majors  Dickey  and  I'oole.  Twenty-second 
United  States  Infantry,  came  up  with  their  command,  having  moved  to  the 
sound  of  the  ^ams  in  a  forced  march.  On  the  morning'  following  commenced 
the  greatest  circus  1  have  ever  witnessed.  'I'wo  hundred  of  the  war  and 
buffalo  poni<\s  were  selected  with  vvhicdi  to  mount  our  foot-troops.  The 
Fifth  Infantry  was  afterward  completely  e(iuii)pe(l  in  this  way,  and  on  the 
frontier  was  sometimes  known  as  the  Eleventh  Cavalry,  there  being  then 
ten  cavalry  regiments  in  the  army  organization.  Among  the  herd  were 
some  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry  horses  that  had  been  captured  at  the  IJig  Horn 
massacre;  and  those  having  the  brand  ''7th  U.  S."  were  (piickly  secured  by 
the  infantry  soldiers  who  were  not  regarded  as  altogether  expert  horsemen. 

Then  came  the  problem  of  selecting  the  gentle  and  trained  ponies  from 
the  vicious  brutes.  The  soldiers  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  select  well- 
trained  buifalo  or  war  ponies  congratulated  themselves  in  being  al)le  to 
put  Indian  bridles  and  saddles  upon  them,  but  even  then  they  \v(>re  not  safe 
in  mounting.  Freciueiitly  it  re(iuired  the  aid  of  two  men  to  get  one  into 
the  saddle.  The  ponies  seemed  as  suspicious  of  the  white  man  as  the 
American  horse  is  of  the  wild  Indian. 

Still,  many  of  the  men  succeeded  in  mounting,  and  in  place  of  spurs 
used  the  Indian  "quirt,"  a  stick  about  a  foot  long  with  a  rawhide  lash. 
These  men  were  highly  elated  and  their  derisive  remarks  to  their  more 
unfortunate  comrades  were  ecjual  to  the  best  witticisms  I  have  ever  heard 
on  the  stump  or  undei"  canvas.  Some  of  the  ponies  would  not  allow  a  white 
man  to  go  near  them;  others  as  fast  as  the  scouts  or  Indians  ccmld  rope 
them  would  submit  to  being  bridled  and  saddled,  in  fact  would  look  meek 
and  calm,  waiting  for  a  good  opportunity.  With  the  help  of  one  or  two 
men  the  infantryman  would  mount,  or  at  least  reach  his  place  above  the 
saddle  and  beast  for  the  time  being,  whereupon  the  pony  would  double  up 
like  a  ball,  make  a  bound  into  the  air,  coming  down  stiff-legged,  jump 
about  over  the  prairie,  and  repeat  this  exercise  with  lightening  rapidity, 
in  almost  every  direction  at  the  same  time;  then  the  soldier's  hat  would 
fall,  and  before  many  minutes  he  would  follow  suit,  and  frequently  the 
pony  w'ould  not  stop  until  he  had  freed  himself  from  the  saddle ;  or, 
sometimes  he  would  gallop  around  over  the  prairie  and  come  back  to  the 
herd  with  the  saddle  underneath. 

Two  hundred  soldiers  on  the  same  field  endeavoring  to  subdue  the  same 
number  of  wild  horses  created  a  scene  of  excitement  which  was  not  only 


)r, 
le 

le 

ly 


GENKUAI.  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


hiimoroiis  but  also  soniowliat  daii^'crous.  Kortiinatoly  thoy  did  not  have 
far  to  fall  and  the  ^Toiind  was  covonMl  with  a  heavy  crop  of  j^rt'on  {^rass. 
This  sciMio  continncd  until  thoconiniand  was  coniplctcly  inonntcd.  and  the 
ponies  and  infantry  had  IxM'onio  bettor  a('([uainted.  and  l>y  that  time  we 
were  ready  to  take  up  our  return  niarcli  hack  to  th(M'a!itoninent. 

As  soon  as  the  herd  was  l)ron^dit  hack  and  s(»cu#<m1.  another  expeditio!i 
was  sent  out  to  follow  up  the  retreating'  Indians  and  to  scour  the  country 
for  detached  parties  or  hands.  This  i)lan  was  carriecl  out  most  efl'ectively 
by  commands  inider  Captain  Mall  and  Maj(»i'  La/elh*  ;  and  later  by  Major 
Brisbin  and  Captain  Snyder,  who  reconnoitrcMJ  and  cleared  tluuMitire coun- 
try of  the  Yellowstone.  This  course  was  continiUMl  during'  the  months  of 
June.  July  and  Au^'ust.the  Indians  in  scattering' bands  retreating'  as  raj)'.d- 
ly  us  possible  towai'd  their  ii^<Micics.  w  here  they  commenc(Ml  to  surrender  in 
July,  the  last  jj^oinj.?  in  between  the  r)th  and  Idth  of  Septembei", 
and  causing  us  t(>  believe  that  that  re^icm  of  country  was  cicai'ed  for 
all  time  of  the  hostile  presenc<'  aiul  depredatiijns  of  the  Sioux  Indians. 

While  winter  in  this  part  of  the  country  is  sev(>re.  and  the  snowfall  is 
occasioiuilly  very  deep,  yet  the  extreme  cold  is  usually  of  slun-t  (lurati(m, 
and  as  a  general  thiu}^'  spring  o[)ens  early.  In  fact,  in  western  Montana 
snow  remains  upon  the  ground  but  a  very  short  time.  The  western  winds, 
"chinook  winds"  as  they  are  called,  coming  from  the  coast  of  Oregon  and 
Washington,  sweeping  through  the  passes  of  the  mountains  and  over  the 
territory  of  Montana,,  temper  the  climate  to  a  remarkable  degree.  These 
warm  western  winds  sometimes  a))sorb  nearly  a  foot  of  siu)w  in  a  single 
twenty-fouv  hours  or  at  most  within  the  s])ace  of  two  days.  The  grasses 
are  so  strong  that  as  soon  as  tlie  snow  disapi)eais  t!i(\\-  begin  to  spring 
up.  In  some  of  the  warm  vsilleys  green  life  seems  to  remain  near  the  roots 
of  the  grass  that  is  protected  by  snow. 

When  we  went  up  Tongue  River  the  snow  was  a  foot  deep  and  the 
river  frozen  over. 

It  is  a  rennirkable  fact  that  the  savage  can  accustom  himself  to  going 
on  the  ice  with  his  bare  feet.  In  that  country  the  Indian  foot,  as  I  know 
from  personal  observation,  is  covered  with  a  skin  very  similar  to  that 
which  covers  a  duck's  foot.  In  following  the  trail  of  an  Indian  at  one 
time,  we  noticed  that  he  was  without  moccasins  though  he  had  gone  into 
the  water  and  out  on  the  ice.  The  foot  of  one  of  the  little  children  in 
the  camp  at  the  cantonment,  which  I  had  occasion  to  examine,  was 
just  like  the  bottom  of  a  duck's  foot.  I  actually  saw  that  child  sliding 
on  the  ice  w  ith  bare  feet  before  its  mother's  door.     Lieutenant  Baird,  my 


M'; 


I   1 


254 


I'KUSONAI^  IJECOlJ.hXTlONS  OK 


'     I 


I 


r 


n  ■}. 


M 


■!i''l 


,    ■ 


adjutant  at  that  tiiiir,  called  my  attciitioii  to  it.  I  am  told  that  in  Wash- 
in^'toM  T(Mi"it()rv  tlu^  hidianN  in  (>arly  times  never  woi'e  moccasins  because 
only  with  their  hare  feet  could  they  nu)ve  over  the  fallen  tind)er  easily, 
that  country  hein^'  ^'reatly  en<mmhered  in  that  way.  The  same  thing  is 
also  told  of  th(>  iiulians  in  Alaska. 

Th(^  clinuite  and  country  of  Moutaiui  and  the  Dakotas  produced  as  fine 
physical  specimens  of  the  human  rac(^  as  have  ever  been  found  on  this 
continent.  Tlu'y  were  tall,  line  specituens  of  the  Indian  type,  and  were 
hrave.  dignilied  and  stalwart,  possessing  many  nuinly  (lualities.  In  diplo- 
macy they  were  saga<'ious,  in  oratory  earnest,  graceful  and  logical,  and  in 
tlieir  wild  condition  they  were  industrious.  When  they  could  nH)ve  from 
one  valley  to  anothe'/,  or  camp  beside  some  spring  with  plenty  of  fresh 
grass  and  green  foliage,  their  habits  were  much  better  than  they  have  been 
since  they  have  l)eencomi)elled  to  live  at  one  place  or  in  some  agency. 

'I'he  wonu>n  were  strong  and  healthy,  many  of  them  good-looking  and 
very  industrious,  and  the  most  cheerful,  jolly  lot  of  people  that  1  have  ever 
known.  They  were  always  chatting,  laughing,  joking  and  singing  among  tliem- 
.selves,  and  playing  games  with  their  children,  ami  often  having  banquets 
and  festivals  for  the  entertainment  of  their  friends  and  themselves.  The 
clinuite  of  that  country  is  invigorating,  and  the  atmosphere  gives  a  feeling 
of  strength,  courage  and  energy.  Men  there  seem  willing  to  undertake 
any  enterprise,  having  a  feeling  of  conKdence  and  resolution  within  theni- 
solves  that  one  does  not  have  in  a  more  languid  clinuite.  It  is  fair  to  say 
that  the  same  vigorous  clinuite  and  all  of  nature's  iuHnences  will  produce  a 
white  race,  as  it  has  produced  an  Indian  race,  that  will  be  equal  to  any  in 
the  same  zone  in  strength,  character  and  fortitude.  In  fact  it  has  already 
been  demonstrated  that  some  of  the  strongest  and  most  heroic  regiments 
produced  during  the  great  war  came  from  Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Min- 
nesota, the  First  Minnesota  standing  at  the  very  head. 

AVliile  the  Indians  were  being  driven  south  to  their  agencies,  a  detach- 
ment of  the  Twenty-second  Infantry  which  was  engaged  in  this  work 
suddenly  received  orders  by  telegraph  to  proceed  by  forced  marches  to 
Bisnuirck,  Dakota,  and  from  there  by  railroad  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  the 
city  of  Chicago,  wliere  they  arrived  in  time  to  help  restore  order  and  sup- 
press the  riots  that  at  that  time  were  threatening  life  and  property  in  that 
city. 

In  the  midsummer  of  1S77.  General  W.  T.  Sherman,  commanding  the 
United  States  army,  passed  through  that  (;()untry.  He  went  by  steamer 
up  the  Yellowstone  to  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Horn,  thence  by  wagon  across 


!■ 


GKNKKAL  NKKSON   A.  MILKS. 


or, 


>0 


at 


ss 


tin*  momitains  and  down  tho  Coliimhia.  Wliilo  at  the  cantonment  of 
Toii^Mic  KivtT.  July  17.  \w  addn'sscd  a  letter  to  the  Hon.  lieorjxe  W. 
McC'rary,  Secretary  of  War,  at  VVa.shinj^'ton,  1).  ('.,in  which  he  used  the  fol- 
lowing hinguage: 

"  I  now  rt'jriird  tlii*  Sioux  Indian  prohlfin.  iim  a  war  (jiH>>*tion,  nf*  solved  by  tlu'  operations 
of  (nMicral  .NIIIch  last  winter,  and  hy  tlii*  estahlishnient  of  the  twt>  new  posts  on  tlu'  Yellow- 
stone, now  assured  this  summer.  IJoats  conu"  and  ^'o  now,  where  a  year  ajro  none  would 
ventun^  exeejtt  with  Htronjr  jruards.  Wootl-yards  are  heini,'  established  to  fai-ilitate  miv- 
ijjation,  atid  the  irreat  mass  of  thi>  hostiles  havi>  been  foreed  to  p)  to  tlu>  ai,'encies  for  food 
und  protection,  or  have  lied  across  the  border  into  Hritish  Territory." 

The  following  appeared  in  the  annual  report  of  Lieutenant-lJeneral  V. 
H.  Sheridan: 

llKAlHil  AKTKRS    Mll.lTAItV     DiVISIO.V    «»l"    TIIK    MlHSOt'UI,  ) 

('iiHA<to,   Ii.i.s,,  ( )<"n»Hi:K  'Jo,  1H77.  \ 
Gknkuai.  :      I  have  the  honor  to  submit,   ft)r   the   infornuition    of   the   General  of  the 
Army,  the    followinjr  brief  re|>ort  of   events  occurring  within  the   Military  Division  of   the 
Missouri  since  the  125th  of  Novend)er,  1870,  the  date  of  my  lust  annual  re])ort. 
■X-  *  **  *  *  *  *  * 

During-  the  months  of  December  and  .binuary  the  hostile  Indians  were  constantly  har- 
assed by  the  troops  under  Col.  N.  A.  Miles,  Fifth  Infantry,  whose  head(puirters  were  at 
the  mouth  of  the  Tonnrut*  |{iver,  and  who  had  two  sharp  eniratfements  with  thom,  one  at 
Hedwater  and  the  other  near  Ilanirinir  Woman's  Fork,  intlicting  heavy  losses  in  men, 
supplies  and  animals. 

This  constant  pounding  and  ceaseless  activity  upon  the  part  of  our  troops  (Colonel 
Miles  in  particular),  in  midwinter,  beiran  to  tell,  and  early  in  February,  IS77,  information 
was  communicated  whidi  led  me  to  believt*  that  the  Indians  in  tTcneral  were  tired  of  the 
war.  and  that  tlu>  lar<;e  bodies  heretofore  in  the  field  were  beifinnino'  to  l)reak  up.  On  the 
tiotii  of  that  month  2'.IU  Iodides  of  Minneconjoux  and  Sans  Arcs  came  and  surrendered  to 
tlie  troops  at  Cheyenne  agency.  Dak.  They  were  completely  disarmed,  their  horses  taken 
from  them,  and  they  were  put  under  iruard,  and  this  system  was  carried  out  with  all  who 
afterward  came  in  to  surrender  witliin  the  Departments  of  Dakota  and  the  Platte.  From  the 
1st  of  March  to  the  '21st  of  the  same  month  over  '2.'.H)()  Indians,  in  detachments  of  from  30 
to  DOO,  came  in  and  surri'ndered  at  Camps  Sheridan  and  Kobinson,  in  the  Department  of 
the  Platte,  and  on  the  2'2\k\  (>f  April.  803  Cneyennes  came  and  surrendered  to  Colonnl 
Miles  at  the  cantonnieni  >n  Toni^ue  Kiver  in  the  Department  of  Dakota,  and  more  were 
re|)orted  on  the  way  in  to  (fWe  themselves  up.  Finally  on  the  0th  of  May,  Crazy  Horse, 
with  iSSW  of  his  people  and  '2,(X)0  ponies,  came  in  to  Camp  Kobinson  and  surrendered  to 
General  Crook  in   ])erson. 

In  the  meantime.  Colonel  Miles  havin<;  had  information  of  the  whereabout?,  of  Puuie 
Deer's  band  of  hostile  Sioux  surprised  his  camjt,  killinif  14  warriors,  includint;-  Lame  Deer 
andiron  Star,  the  two  princij»al  chiefs,  capturiiii^  47*0  ])oi!ies  and  destroy!  i.j.^'  51  lodjjjes 
and  their  contents.  I  may  mention  here  that  this  band  commenced  to  surrender,  in  small 
sipiads  from  two  to  twenty,  immediately  thereafter,  until  at  leiii^tii.  on  tho  IDth  of  S'.^p- 
tember,  the  last  of  the  band,   numbering  224,  constantly  followed  und  pressed  by  troops 


■■■.'i 


i    I 


2'A\ 


PKKSONAI,  KKCOLLECTIONS  OF 


from  the  coniniand  of  Colonel  Miles,  surrendered   at   Caiii|)  Slieridan.     The  Sioux  war  was 


now  over. 
*  * 


•X- 


-X-  *  * 

I'.    II   Siii;i;ii).\N. 
l.ieul.-(Jeneral.  (.'oniiiiandino-. 

After  l)ein^' separated  from  my  family  for  nearly  one  year,  as  the  country 
became  safe,  one  of  the  iirst  steamboats  to  come  np  the  river,  in  .lune,  1S77, 
brou^'ht  my  wife  and  her  sister.  Miss  Klizabeth  Sherman,  now  j\lrs.  fl.  1). 
Cameron,  aiid  our  little  daughter,  Cecilia.  They  were  the  first  white 
women  to  come  and  make  their  permanent  abode  in  that  wild  western 
country.  We  could  only  affoi'd  them  a  soldiei''s  welcome,  as  we  were  liv- 
ing' in  teuts  and  in  the  cantonment  bivouac.  They  accepted  the  sitiuition 
v(M'y  cheei'fnlly.  however.  The  outdooi-  exercises  which  they  were  able  to 
enjoy,  such  as  hoi'seback-ridin^.  hunting  and  sailin^j:  on  the  Yellowstone, 
together  with  tlu^  novelty  of  their  new  life,  nuide  it  a  pleasure  and  a  ro- 
mance. As  oth.M-  steand)oats  came  u})  tlie  river  they  brou^dit  the  families 
and  relatives  of  the  officers  and  some  of  the  soldiers,  and  this  was  the  be- 
ginning of  civilized  and  domestic  life  in  that  vicinity.  The  presence  of 
women  added  a  charm  and  a  ray  of  sunshine  to  the  life  of  the  soldier. 


ux  war  was 


l>AN. 

iiiaiidiiiir. 

0  coiuitry 
uiio.  1S77, 
ills.  J.  1). 
rst   white 

1  western 
were  liv- 
situation 

're  altle  to 
llowstoiie. 
and  a  ro- 
le  families 
as  the  l»e- 
resenee  of 
•Idier. 


K 


73 

I 

H 

■    I 
I    O 

I    ^ 

' .    UJ 
!    CO 
cc 
O 

I 

> 

N 
< 

CC 

o 


M 


III 


w^ 


;  I  I 


M:   [ 


u 


It,'  ,1 


'' 


I  \ 


'i]     \- 


I  ll " 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


2b\} 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Nez  Peuck  C'ami'aign 


ClIARAOTRR  OK    TIIIO    \i:Z   I'lOHCKS  —  Till:   W.M.I.nWA     VaM.IOY  —  <'llli;i'    JoSKI'Il  —  IIoWTIIlO  WaK  WaS 
HlXllN    —    lldWAKl)    AM)    (illtliiiN's    ( '  A  M  I'A  I(  i  NS   —    riilOl' A  KA  I'll  "NS     IciH     Till-:     M<  IVIO.MKNT   — 

Till-;  Tudors   1)i;i'aii.i:i)  —  'I'm;    Indian    Ai.i.iios  —  Hkincinc.   a   Si'i:a.mi;i{ 

—  Tin;  Ki:('Ai,i,  —  ("ai'I'ain    IVm.dwin  —  A    Knucioi)    Mahcii  — 

-Mais  and  tiik   Hicak — A  CiiANciio   oi-   Cdsimmi:. 

HILE  these  operations  were  hein^  earrie'l  on,  iiifornuition  was 
received  tiirou^di  uDollieial  reports  and  newspaper  aceonnts 
of  thi'eatened  hostilities  on  the  part  of  the  Ne/  Peree  Indians 
in  Idaho. 

Thi'se  Indians  had  lived  from  time  immemorial  in  Idaho;  and 
up  to  that  time  it  had  been  their  boast  that  no  Nez  Perce  had 
ever  taken  the  life  of  a  white  man,  thouj^h  it  could  not  be  said 
that  no  white  man  had  ever  killed  a  Nez  Perce.  From  our  first  acHpiain!^^- 
anoe  with  them  through  the  expedition  of  Jjewis  and  Clark,  they  had 
been  exceedingly  friendly  to  white  explorers  and  settlers,  yet  the  old 
story  of  a  desire  on  the  part  of  the  white  peo[)le  to  occupy  Indian  land 
caused  the  serious  trouble  that  occurred  during  that  year,  followed  by 
the  usual  result.  They  were  occupants  of  t^o  Wallowa  Valley.  By 
treaty  this  land  luid  been  given  to  them  as  a  })art  of  their  reservation, 
and  they  were  opposed  to  the  surrender  of  it.  They  were  in  comfortable 
circumstances,  having  herds  of  cattle  and  plenty  of  horses.  A  det(M'- 
mined  etTort  was  made  by  interested  whites  to  make  them  surrender  the 
contested  ground,  and  the  prominent  chiefs,  including  Looking  (ilass  and 
Chief  Joseph,  opposed  it. 

Chief  Joseph  told  me  afterward  that  his  fatliei.  before  his  death,  called 
him  to  his  bedside  and  counseled  him  never  to  sign  a  treaty  giving  up  the 
Wallowa  Valley.  Faithful  to  the  dying  injunction  of  his  father  he  never 
did  consent  to  part  with  that  bit  of  territory,  but  the  whites  were  deter- 
mined to  occupy  it  and  they  had  enough  iuHuence  at  Washington  to  have 
a  commission  sent  to  demand  the  surrender  of  this  territory,  and,  when 
that  w^as  not  complied  with,  to  have  a  body  of  troops  sent  to  remove  the 


:  J 


' 


■! 


i  il' 


260 


PPJHSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


OlIIKK   Jo.SKI'll 


Indians  from  tho  dispiitod  territory.  Tliis  incensed  tho  owners  of  the  soil 
to  a  very  hij^li  decree,  and  yet  many  were  so  o[)[)osed  to  war  that  they 
decided  to  relin([uisii  their  cherislied  lands  under  the  i)ressnre  of  force. 

Chief  .losepli  and  others  liad  ^one  into  th(^  hills  and  mountains  to 
^'ather  up  their  stock  with  a  view  to  removinj^  it,  at  the  very  time  that  a 
disaiTected  element  took  advantage  of  these  conditions  to 
l)reci]»iti»te  liostilities.  A  yonn^^  man  wliosc^  brother  had 
been  killed  tlu^  year  before  by  a  white  man,  went  out  and 
found  tliis  man,  killed  him,  and  brou^dit  his  horse  intr  the 
camp.  As  he  stood  beside  the  stolen  horse,  stroking  his  mane, 
he  said:  "You  will  now  have  to  go  to  war,  as  I  have  com- 
menced itby  killing  tiie  man  uho  killed  my  brother.  Troops 
will  be  sent  against  all  of  you." 

This  act  did,  in  fact,  start  hostilities,  as  it  created 
intense  excitement  and  feeling  against  the  Indians 
on  the  i)art  of  the  whites,  and  troops  were  sent  to 
arrest  alleged  de[)redations  and  hostilities.  Then  oc- 
curi'ed  some  sharp  lighting  by  troops  under  (leneral 
II (►ward,  the  Indians  retreating  east  over  the  moun- 
tains, up  what  is  known  as  the  Lolo  trail  and  ("lark's  Fork  of  the  Columbia, 
thence  east  through  what  is  known  as  Big  Hole  Basin,  where  they  wer(3 
overtaken  by  the  command  of  (ieneral  (iibbon.  Then  a  sharp  and 
desperate  tight  occurred  in  which  General  (Jibbon  was  wounded  and 
his  attack  rei)elled.  The  Indians  retreating  were  followed  l)y  (Jeneral 
Howard's  comnnmd  through  Yellowstone  I'ark  and  out  over  Clark's  Fork 
Pass,  a  tributary  of  the  Yellowstone.  In  fact  they  came  near  intercepting 
General  Sherman  in  his  tour  through  the  Yellowstone  Park. 

From  the  unollicial  reports  and  newspaper  accounts  1  have  already 
mentioned,  I  judged  that  the  Indians  would,  should  they  evade  the  troops 
in  western  Montana,  endeavor  to  ''each  the  Judith  Basin,  and,  if  pursued, 
would  nK)ve  noi-th  of  the  Missouri  Kiver.  I  ordei'ed  (August  J})  r'irst  Lieu- 
tenant (f.  C.  Doane.  Second  Cavalry,  with  Com[)any  F,  Sev(M)th  Cavalry, 
and  tlie  Crow  allies,  to  the  Missouri  at  and  west  of  the  Musselshell,  with  in- 
structions to  ••  intercept,  capture  or  destroy  the  Nez  Perces."  On  the  lOthof 
August, tothe  same  end,  I  sent'  >'cneral  Sturgis, colonel  Seventh  Cavalry,  witli 
six  comi)anies  of  his  regiment,  ^o  Judtti  (;rip  —  a  point  they  subsequently 
passed  — at  the  same  time  ordering  Li  'iitenant  Doane,  then  ^v/  roitfr  under  in- 
structions above  cited,  to  re|.oiv  ^»  Mini.  Snrh  general  nstructions  as  the 
facts  at  hand  rendered  pi'ac.  M^.ble  vse'("  tiuii.'slied  (ioi.eral  Sturgis,  and  he 


\ 


J  I 


GKNEKAL  NKI.SOxN   A.  MIl.ES. 


261 


was  directed  to  arrt  upon  any  new  information  he  nii^ht  obtain.  His  move- 
ments were  timely  and  well  made;  nnfoi'tnnately  he  was  deceived  as  to 
the  movements  of  the  Indians  on  Clark's  Fork,  hnt  snl»se(|uently  pnrsued 
them  vij^oronsly  to  near  Jndith  (lap.  As  this  disposition  .)r  troop.:  antic- 
ipated the  orders  snl)se(piently  received  from  division  and  dei)artment 
headqnarters,  and  as  there  were  at  that  time  apparently  trnstvvorthy 
re|»orts  of  a  southward  movement  of  Sitting  Hull  and  his  follovim;,  no 
further  dispositions  to  meet  the  Ne/  Per(M''s  were  made.  (Jeneral  Stur;^ns 
was  directed  to  keep  me  informed  of  the  movenuMits  of  the  Indians,  which 
he  did  by  suhsecpient  rei)orts.  After  (leneral  0.  0.  Howard's  command 
joined  that  of  Ueneral  -Sturgis,  General  Howard  assumed  command  of 
both. 

The  information  that  I  had  received,  both  ofllcial  and  unofllcial.  of  the 
movements  of  the  troops  and  also  of    the  Nez   Perce   Indians,  j^ave  me 

^reat  anxiety,  and  on  the  evening'  of  the  17th  of  Sep- 
tember, standing'  on  the  rij,dit  bank  of  the  Yellowstone 

Kivei'  and  lookiiij^  towai'd  the  west, 
'  ,  I  noticed  a  dark  object  moving  along 


.^ii  brakes  of 
,  which  as  it 
dto  beasintrle 


the 
the  western  horiz 
gradually  came  nearer  pro 
horseman.  He  turned  down  the  trail 
nearly  (>pi)osit(»  to  when  I  was  standing, 
and  as  he  wound  his  wa>  along  down  the 
steep  bluffs  I  observed  tlnr  he  was  a  cav- 
alryman, and  possibly  a  bearer  of  d(>s])atches.  lie  came  to  the  ferry  on 
the  opposit(^  side,  the  boatnuni  ferried  him  ovei',  and  he  rode  up  to  me, 
dismounted  and  salutcMl.  and  then  1  recognized  him  as  one  (^  the  ca,valry- 
nien  from  General  Sturgis'  comnumd.  So  anxious  was  I  to  iviiow  the  results 


Yor   Wii.i,  Now  Havk  to  (\n 
T.)  War." 


m 


'  Jl  ■ 


.!■ 


]'V  i^i 


i 


262 


PERSONAL  IIEOOLLECTIONS  OF 


of  the  operations  taking  plaee  some  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to 
th')  west,  that  tlie  Hrst  (juestion  I  asked  him  was,  "Have  you  had  a  Hght?" 
"No,"  he  replied,  '"  but  we  have  had  a  good  chance,"  alluding  to  an  adroit 
mancpuvre  that  Looking  (1  lass  and  Chief  Joseph  had  nuide  when  they 
effected  the  escape  of  the  Nez  Perces. 

On  opening  the  envelope  which  he  handed  me  1  found  a  report  from 
Colonel  Sturgis  and  a  letter  from  (ieneral  Howard,  stating  that  the  Nez 
Perces  had  left  them  hopelessly  in  the  rear,  and  wishing  that  i  would  take 
some  action  to  intercept  them. 

My  command  was  then  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  east  of  where  the 
Indians  had  crossed  the  Yellowstone,  and  this  report  was  five  days  old.  1 
determined  to  make  the  hest  effort  i)()ssihle  to  find  them,,  however,  and  at 
once  gave  orders  for  what  available  troojjs  I  had  to  l)e  made  ready,  sup- 
plied and  ferried  over  the  river  to  the  north  side.  vVll  night  this 
work  was  carried  on,  and  ])efore  sunrise  the  next  morning  the  troops 
were  on  the  left  l)ank  of  Lhe  Yellowstone,  equipped  with  thirty  days 
sui)plies,  abundance  of  ammunition,  wagon-trains,  pack-trains,  artil- 
lery, scouts,  guides  and  everything  that  could  l)e  made  available  for  a  long 
and  diflicult  forced  march,  and,  if  necessar\,  a  desperate  encounter. 

Anticipating  that  the  Indians  would  move  toward  the  upper  Missouri, 
and  that  the  commands  of  ( General  Howard  and  Colonel  Sturgis  would 
niM'd  supplies,  I  «tarted  couriers  for  Fort  Buford  and  Fort  Peck,  on  the 
Missouri,  over  a  hundved  miles  away,  with  requisitions  for  a  steamer  load 
of  supplies  for  ))()th  men  and  aniuials,  to  be  sent  up  the  Missouri.  These 
messages  reached  their  destination  all  right,  and  the  steamer  that  was 
loaded  at  F  ;/rt  Huford  reached  a  place  called  Cow  island,  between  two  and 
three  hundred  miles  to  the  west,  just  in  time  to  supply  Ceneral  Howard's 
command  when  it  arrived  on  the  Missouri,  out  of  supplies,  with  thirty 
days'  supplies  for  men  and  animals. 

The  following  morni  ig  at  daylight  my  command  slowly  wound  its  way 
up  the  trail  from  the  Yellowstone  to  the  high  mesa  on  the  north  side  of 
that  river.  Then  commenced  a  most  la))orious  and  tediou^:  forced 
march  of  approximately  two  hundred  miles.  My  command  co:;  isted  of  a 
small  detachment  of  white  guides  and  scouts  and  thirty  Cheyenne  Indian 
allies  under  the  con'mand  of  Lieutenant  M.  P.  Maus,  First  United  States 
Infantry;  a  battalion  of  the  Fifth  Infantry  mounted  on  the  captured  Sioux 
ponies;  Snyder's,  Bennett's,  Carter's  and  Komeyn's  companies.  Captain 
Simon  Snyder  commanding;  a  battalion  of  the  Second  Fnited  States  Cav- 
alry, Tyler's,  Jerome's  and   McClernand's  companies.  Captain  Ceorge   L. 


»  1:   I  ^ 


I 

at 


GENEUAL  NELSON  A.   MILES. 


263 


Tyler  comniJindinf?;  a  battalion  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry.  Hale's.  Godfrey's 
and  Moylan's  companies.  Captain  Owen  Halo  coinnnindin^';  one  hreech- 
loading  Hotchkiss  j^un,  Sergeant  Mcllnj^di,  Fifth  Infantry,  conunanding; 
the  train  escort,  commanded  by  Captain  1).  H.  Brotherton.  Fifth  Infantry, 
consistinj^  of  Company  K  and  a  detachment  of  Company  D.  Fifth  Infantry, 
with  one  twelve-pounder  Napoleon  gun. 

From  information  received  as  to  the  direction  taken  by  the  Indians,  the 
indications  were  that  they  intended  to  join  the  hostile  Sioux  north  of  the 
Canadian  line.  In  order  to  intercept  them  if  possible,  or  if  not,  to  take  up 
their  trail  and  pursue  them.  I  moved  to  the  northwest,  toward  the  month 
of  the  Musselshell,  reaching  a  camping  ground  within  six  miles  of  that 
point  on  the  evening  of  the  21st,  after  a  hard  march  of  fifty-two  miles 
within  twenty-four  hours. 

During  this  march  across  the  country  from  the  Yellowstone  to  the  Mis- 
souri, I  had  sent  scouts  out  to  the  front  and  left  with  directions  to  go  on 
until  they  found  some  sign  of  the  Indians,  and  then  to  come  in  on  my  line 
of  march  and  make  reports,  thus  covering  our  command  by  a  cloud  of 
scouts  and  videttes  for  a  long  distance  in  advance  .ii<^  to  our  left.  Some 
of  these  men  rode  a  distance  of  more  than  two  hun 'led  miles  before  nuik- 
irg  any  report.  Still,  though  in  a  circle  of  scouts,  keeping  from  five  to 
twenty  miles  in  advance,  and  taking  advantage  of  the  high  buttes  to  sur- 
vey the  country  carefully  with  held  glasses  or  telescopes,  we  discovered 
no  sign  of  the  hostile  Nez  Perces. 

I  did  not  hear  from  one  of  my  guides.  (Jeorge  Johnson,  a  brave,  intel- 
ligent man,  and  afterward  learned  that  he  had  met  with  misfortune. 
Going  down  a  stream  known  as  Squaw  Creek,  and  coming  to  the  bank  of 
the  Missouri,  he  supposed  it  was  the  Musselshell,  a  river  which  he  had 
crossed  many  times  by  fording.  Being  desirous  of  reaching  what  he  sup- 
posed was  the  other  sid^^  of  the  Musselshell,  ho  started  across.  xVs  he  was 
a  heavy  num.  and  his  lnorse  was  undoubtetily  weak,  he  got  out  into  the 
whirlpools  of  the  deep  ^tt4«J  turbuilent  Missouri,  and  was  carried  down  the 
river  and  drowned  in  tli-  ■  -wrlM  ms  waters  beforo  he  could  reach  either 
shore.  His  body  and  thar  of  his  ia«»rse  were  found  many  miles  l)olow  some 
weeks  afterwai'd. 

Our  band  of  Indian  allies  tliat  w^re  not  out  as  scouts,  moved  along  be- 
side the  column  ap[)urontly  indiUV^ront  and  lislloss.  yet  taking  the  greatest 
care  of  their  band  of  war  [)onios.  which  they  w<M"e  driving  or  leading,  and 
evidently  getting  in  tine  condition  for  se-rious  s(»rvi('o.  Thoy  themselves 
were    mounted    on    very    indifferent    poniies    and    mules,    and  some    of 


!      l|i 


';S' 


wr 


li  . 


264 


PE1{S(JNAI.  liECOLLECTIONS  OF 


them  wore  old  hats  and  coats,  and  very  ordinary  Indian  clothing;  but 
the  sudden  and  instantaneous  transfornuition  of  these  warriors  when 
they  came  in  close  proximity  to  tlie  enemy  was  startling  and  most 
interesting. 

teaching  cam])  six  miles  from  the  Missouri  on  the  evening  of  Septem- 
l)er  'Jli  and  desii-iug  to  take  every  chance  of  getting  my  command  across 
the  deep  and  turbid  waters  of  this  great  river,  I  called  upon  Captain  Hale 
to  give  me  an  oflicer  who  would  ride  forward  and  detain  any  steamer  that 
might  be  either  ascending  or  descending  the  Missouri.  The  horses  of  the 
Seventh  Cavalry  had  just  been  turned  out  to  graze,  after  a  very  long  and 
most  difficult  forced  march.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  must  have  been 
very  tired,  iiieutenant  liiddle  quickly  responded  that,  with  the  approval  of 
Captain  Hale,  he  would  go.  I  replied  that  I  would  be  very  glad  if  he 
would  take  one  oi'  two  men  and  ride  forward  rapidly  for  that  purpose.  He 
had  his  horse  saddled  at  once,  and  accomi)anied  l)y  one  soldier,  in  less  than 
ten  minutes  he  was  disappearing  from  our  view,  as  he  dashed  at  a  gallop 
(h)wn  the  valley.  I  could  not  anticipate  at  that  anxious  moment  the  ter- 
rible tragedy  that  v^ited  in  the  near  future  these  two  enterprising  and 
splendid  v  liicers.  1  do  not  think  that  Lieutenant  Biddle  drew  rein  until 
he  stood  on  the  bank  of  the  Missouri  just  in  time  to  hail  the  last  regular 
steamer  going  down  the  river  that  season.  As  a  result  of  taking  advan- 
tage of  every  possible  chance,  and  the  enterprise  of  the  young  officer,  he 
sent  word  l)ack  that  night,  and  \vhen  wt  reached  the  Missouri  the  next 
morning  we  found  the  steamer  tied  up  at  ihe  bank  awaiting  us. 

Early  the  next  nu)rning  found  us  at  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  I  imme- 
diately transferred  to  the  opposite  side  the  battalion  of  the  Second  Cav- 
alry, under  Captain  Tyler.  This  was  done  for  a  double  purpose.  One  was 
that  tliey  might  move  along  the  left  bank  and  prevent  the  Nez  Perces  from 
crossing  at  any  of  the  ferries  above,  and  the  other  that  they  might  con- 
tinue the  march  to  the  northwest,  where  T  had  been  ordered  to  send  a  battal- 
ion of  cavali'y  to  escort  General  Terry  on  his  peace  commission  to  meet 
Sitting  Bull  with  the  Canadian  officers  on  Canadian  soil.  The  renuiinder 
of  the  command  was  moved  up  the  river  a  short  distance  above  the  mouth 
of  the  ^lusselshell.  and.  as  all  information  I  had  received  up  to  that  time 
indicated  that  the  Nez  Perces  were  still  fifty  or  seventy-hve  miles  south  of 
the  Missouri.  I  decided  to  move  up  the  south  bank  of  that  river  and  inter- 
cept them. 

As  T  could  not  detain  the  steamer  any  great  length  of  time  I  gave  per- 
mission for  it  to  continue  its  journey  down  the  river.     Captain  Baldwin, 


1 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


205 


one  of  the  most  efficient  of  officers,  who  liad  been  worn  down  by  hard  serv- 
ice, was,  by  the  advice  of  tiie  siir;,M'on,  instructed  to  ^ntdown  the  river  for 
rest,  and  also  to  hurry  forward  the  steanuM-  with  the  su|)i)lies  I  had 
ordered  before  leaving'  the  cantonnuMit  on  the  Yellowstone. 

As  our  command  was  bein^'  i)rei)ared  to  march  to  the  west,  and  while 
the  steamer  was  but  a  short  distance  away,  three  m<'ii  came  down  the 
river  in  a  boat  and  announced  the  fact  that  the  Nez  I'erces  had  crcjssed 
the  Missouri  some  .sixty  miles  to  the  west  of  us.  at  a  point  known  as  Cow 
Island.  This  was  one  of  the  occasions  in  military  affairs  wlum.  acting  upon 
the  best  information  obtainable,  you  suddenly  lind  y(»urself  ^Mvatly  embar- 
rassed by  new  information  that  is  directly  contradictory. 

The  steamer  was  then  beyond  hailin<,'  distance,  but  as  (juick  as  thou^dit, 
Sertjeant  McHuj^di,  whose  piece  of    artillery    was 

restingon  the  bank  of  the  river,  J^^^-:-^^  .    was    ordered    to 


gun 


.-» — ■■ 


C.\i.i.iN<;  Hack  tiik  8TKAMii(iAT. 


and  train  it  down 
the  rivei'  and 
commence  throwing  shot  and 
shell  as  rapidly  as  i)()ssible.  The 
reverberation  of  the  cannon 
down  between  the  high  ))lnffs  of 
the  river,  and  the  bursting  of  shells  in  the  air  on  the  left  bank  could  be 
heard  for  several  miles  down  the  Missouri,  and  1  knew  that  if  these  s(nmds 
reached  the  ears  of  that  thorough  soldier,  Baldwin,  he  would  turn  back 
and  move  to  the  s^mnd  of  the  guns. 

I  was  not  mistaken  in  the  man  ;  in  the  course  of  twentv  or  thirty  min- 
utes the  soldiers  sung  out,  "Here  she  comes."    And  a  most  welcome  sight 


mi'\ 


■i  fl 


fi. 


26() 


PEUSONAL  1{KC()IJ-K(T1()NS  OF 


!       I 


n, 


it  was,  to  see  the  black  roliiiim  of  smoke  as  the  steamer  roiiiKied  the  hend 
far  helovv  and  came  piitfiii^  up  against  the  strom;  current.  Wlieii  he 
arrived,  I  UAd  (Captain  Baldwin  that  I  was  delij^hted  to  see  him,  thougli  not 
expect injj;  to  so  soon  Ji^ain,  and  he  replied  that  Ik  knew  something  was 
wanted  or  that  there  was  a  tii'ht.  and  that  he  wanted  to  be  on  iiand  in  either 


case. 


We  ((uickly  transferred  the  command  to  the  north  sidc^  of  the  Missouri, 
and  once  more  allowed  the  steamer  to  loose  her  moorin«,'s  and  |)ro(;eed 
down  the  river,  and  the  troops  prepar»>(l  in  serious  cMirnest  for  the  desperate 
race  and  possible  encounter.  TIm^  Liftle  Hocky  Mountains  is  a  ran^'e 
some  tifty  miles  in  extent,  running'  northwest  and  soutlusist.  IJeyond 
the  northern  pcunt  about  ten  miles  is  a  ran^e  known  as  the  Hear's  Paw 
Mountains,  with  ;•  l('\',-  (lnid<>  connecting  the  two.  My  information  was 
tliat  the  Nez  Perces  luul  taken  the  course  that  would  brin^^  them  throufjfh 
this  pass  between  tlu'  two  ranj^es.  Instead  of  j^oing  to  the  west  of  the 
Little  Kocky  Mountains,  thou^di  I  knew  the  Nez  Perces  to  be  in  that  di- 
rection, T  nuirched  alon^  the  base  of  the  nu)untains  on  the  east  side,  there- 
by <'oncealin<i:  the  command  from  the  obscM'vation  of  the  Indians,  while 
my  scouts  were  kept  well  on  the  crests  of  the  mountiiins  and  to  the  west 
\vhenev<'»'  i)ossible. 

Major  (ruido  ll^es.  who  had  been  stationed  at  Fort  Penton,  Montana, 
hearing,'  of  the  Indians  near  the  crossing  at  I'ow  Island,  had  moved  down 
to  that  point  and  with  a  small  detachment  of  troops  had  boldly  followed 
them  for  a  short  distance,  but  had  not  force  enough  to  accomplish  any 
decisive  result.  He  was  a  thorough  soldier,  however,  and  hearing  thn.t  my 
command  was  in  that  vicinity,  sent  me  important  information. 

On  leaving  the  ^lissouri  Piver  for  the  march  north,  the  command  was 
organized  to  move  with  pack-trains,  leaving  the  wagon-trains  with  a 
strong  escort  to  follow  as  1)est  they  could.  Every  precaution  was  taken  to 
conceal  the  command  as  far  as  possi])le.  and  the  march  was  made  with  all 
the  celerity  and  secrecy  practicable.  Strict  orders  were  given  against 
tiring  a  shot  or  in  any  way  distnrbing  the  vast  numbers  of  l)ufTaloes, 
deer  and  elk  which  we  encountered.  Tn  this  way  we  moved  from 
early  dawn  to  dark  for  four  days  on  the  grassy  plain  and  foot-hills  which 
Ijordered  the  eastern  slo])e  of  the  Little  Pockies.  and  on  the  2'.)th  tidings 
regarding  the  trail  to  the  left  reached  us.  Captain  .Maus.  command- 
ing the  scouts,  had  used  his  sleepless  vigilance  to  good  i)urpose  and 
had  gained  the  information  desired  without  disclosing  his  presence  or  that 
of  the  command. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


267 


11<?S 


Here  occurred  an  pxccllont  illustration  of  the  loyalty  of  the  true 
soldier.  Captain  Mans  and  his  sn)*'"  '"ind,  while  en^aj^'ed  in  their  scout- 
ing duties,  suddenly  came  ui)on  a  h..of  hear  —  sonictinu's  called  the  "griz- 
zly" hut  in  that  region  more  properly  the  "silver  tip"  — that  was  evidently, 
conscious  of  its  strength  for  it  rose  ui)on  its  hind  feet  in  an  attitude  of 
dehance.  Captain  Maus,  with  the  instinrts  of  a  thorough  sportsnum, 
quickly  hrought  his  riHe  to  his  shoulder,  and  rimning  his  eye  along  the 
sight,  just  at  that  nionuMit  reinenihered  the  rigid  orders  against  firing  and 
as  quickly  brought  it  down  to  his  side,  the  spirit  of  the  soldier  overcoming 
the  strong  temptation  of  the  hunter.  His  small  detachment  then  passed 
on  in  search  of  larger  gam<\ 

That  night  I  received  despatches  from  (Jeneral  Howard,  stating  that  he 
had  turned  his  cavalry  back  to  Idaho,  and  was  going  to  move  his  in- 
fantry down  the  Missouri  River,  leaving  the  battalion  of  Colonel  Stui-gis, 
six  troops  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry,  on  the  Missouri  K'iver.  This  made  it 
clear  that  whatever  encounters  we  might  now  hav(»  with  the  Nez  Perc«''s 
we  were  entirely  beyond  support. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  oOth  the  command  had  had  its  light 
breakfast,  and  was  in  tlie  saddle  j)usliiiig  on  again  in  search  of  the  entMuy, 
everyone  realizing  that  the  proljabilities  were  that  a  conflict  would  soon 
occur. 

Lieutenant  0.  F.  Long,  Fifth  Infantiy.  had  been  sent  out  very  early  in 
the  morning  to  examine  the  trail  found  l)y  Indian  scouts,  aid  reported  the 
recent  movements  of  the  Nez  l^erces.  This  ollicer  then  rejoined  the  coni- 
nuuid  and  was  active  and  brave  in  the  engagement  that  followed. 

Our  Cheyenne  and  Sioux  Indian  allies  now  assumed  a  more  s-^rious  atti- 
tude. They  were  well  in  front  of  the  command,  with  their  scouts  and 
lookouts  a  long  distance  in  advance,  and  began  to  show  more  earnestness 
and  activity  than  they  had  heretol\)re.  Suddenly  one  of  these  advance 
scouts,  a  young  warrior,  was  seen  galloping  at  full  si)ee(l  back  o\er  the 
prairie.  He  said  something  in  Sioux  or  Cheyenne  to  the  Indians  as  he 
passed  them,  and  it  was  evident  that  he  brought  information  of  the  dis- 
covery of  the  Nez  Perce  camp.  Then  an  almost  instantaneous  transfor- 
mation scene  was  enacted  by  these  savages;  luits.  coats,  leggins,  shirts, 
blankets,  saddles  and  bridles  wei-e  cpiickly  thrown  into  one  gi'eat  heap  in  a 
ravine  or  "cash"  (cache)  as  the  Indians  call  it.  A  lai'iat  was  placed  over 
the  neck  of  each  war  pony,  with  a  douljle  knot  around  his  under  jaw.  The 
warrior,  painted  for  the  fray,  was  bedecked  with  the  usual  gorgeous  long 
and  high  headdress  of  eagle  feathers,  and  Avore  a  Inickskin  covering  aljout 

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33  WIST  MAIN  STtECT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)872-4503 


^ 


I  I  \ 


268 


PERSONAL  HKCOLLECTIONS  OF 


the  loins,  which  was  his  only  clothin*?  f  xrept  a  pair  of  buckskin  nioccaHins. 
Springinj^  upon  their  war  ponies,  with  rifle  in  hand,  they  looked  like  game 
champions  prepared  for  the  fray,  or  ideal  picturesque  warriors  arrayed 
for  the  fight.  They  appeared  to  be  perfectly  wild  with  delight,  and  a.s  unlike 
what  they  had   seemed   twenty  minutes  before  as  two  scenes  of  a  drama. 

Similar  spirit  was  manifested  along  the  entire  body  of  troops.  "The 
Nez  Perces  over  the  divide,"  was  the  word  that  was  passed  (juickly  in  low 
tones  from  mouth  to  mouth  along  thf;  entire  column.  The  command  im- 
mediately took  a  trot,  with  an  occasional  (tauter,  where  the  ground  would 
admit  of  it,  over  the  rolling  prairie  and  tliegrass-(;overed  valleys.  As  they 
moved  rapidly  forward  on  their  spirited  horses  they  all  realized  the  des- 
perate nature  of  the  encounter  to  which  thr-y  were  moving,  and  yet  a  more 
light-hfsirted,  resolute;  body  of  men  never  moved  over  any  field.  An  occa- 
sional laugh,  a  liap|)y  witticism,  and  rauiant  smiles  were  heard  and  seen 
along  the  lines,  and  one  officer  romphicently  rodf;  into  action  humming 
tlu!  air  ■•  \V  liJit  Shall  the  Harvest  be  ?"— the  melody  of  the  song 
timed  to  the  footl'jills  of  his  galloping  steed.  Ifouudiug  the  nortlu^ast  bas(! 
of  the  IJeai's  I'aw  Mountains,  the  distaucte  that  was  supj»o>ed  to  be  a  few 
niih'S.  |)i(»V('(l  to  he  eight,  iind  the  disp(».sition  of  the  troops  was  made 
while  tlicy  wer(;  }i,t  a  trr)f  or  inpid  walk,  and  the  pace  (|iii('ken(,'d  as  they 
neared  the  camp  to  a  gallo|»  jind  charge. 

Orders  were  sent  by  .Assistant  .\d jutaiit-(Jeneral  Baird  of  my  staff  to 
('}i|»t;iiii  Tyler's  command  (tlicScc(»nd  Ciivalryj,  tr)  sweep  around  to  the  left 
and  then  down  the  valley,  and  cut  off.  if  possilde.  tlu;  heni  of  stock  from 
the  camp,  in  order,  to  use  a  familiar  term,  "to  set  the  Indians  afoot."  The 
Seventh  Cnvalry  was  thrown  in  line  of  battle  while  moving  at  a  gallop,  ^he 
commanding  officer,  Captjiin  Hale  riding  in  adviuice.  He  juesented  an  ideal 
[)icture  of  the  cnvalry  officer.  He  whs  splendidly  moinited  (ui  a  spirited 
gniy  horse,  and  wore  a  jaunty  hat  and  u  light  cavalry  short  cojit,  wliih; 
his  whole  uniform  aiitl  e(|uipment  were  in  perfect  order.  Inspiring  his 
followers  to  courage  by  his  own  example,  with  a  smile  upon  his  handMuue 
face,  hed;ished  forward  to  the  cruel  death  awaiting  him.  The  battalion  of 
the  Fifth  Infiintry.  under  Taptain  Snyder,  was  deployed  in  the  same  nuinner, 
a  little  in  the  rear  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry  at  first,  and  finally  extending  the 
line  to  the  left,  charging  directly  upon  the  camp;  while  the  battalion  of  the 
Second  Cavalry  was  sweeping  the  valley  of  the  vast  herd  of  fuglit  hundred 
horses,  mules  and  ponies  there  grazing.  This  gallop  forward,  preceding  the 
charge,  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  inspiring  sights  T  ever  witnessed 
on  any  field.  It  was  the  crowning  glory  of  our  twelve  day.s'  forced  marching. 


r 


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from 

The 

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idoal 

itod 

hilo 

his 


f 


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III  () 

HUT, 

t)io 
tho 
(1 
the 
Issc'd 
ing. 


In 


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/, 

I 

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z 
< 
o 

z 


o 


'7) 


4 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


271 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
The  Siege  and  The  Surrender. 

The  Attack  —  Hurprisb  of  the  Nez  Percys  —  Death  of  Hale  and  Biddle  —  Escape  of  White 

Bird  —  Laying  Sieqe  to  the  Indian  Gamp  —  Preoaiitionh  Against  a  Counter  Siege  —  A 

Capture  and  an  Exchange  —  A  False  Alarm  —  The  Surrender  —  Back  to  the 

Missouri  —  Meeting  Sturoih'  Command  —  Carrying  the  Wounded  and 

Burying  the  Dead  —  Appearance  of  the  Command  on  the  March 

—  Conduct  of  the  Indian  Allies  and  Their  Reward  — 

Their  Endurance  —  Return  to  the  Cantonment 

—  Final  Disposition  of  the  Indians. 

HE  Nez  Perces  were  quietly  slumbering  in  their  tents,  evidently 
without  a  thought  of  danger,  as  they  had  sent  out  scouts  the 
day  before  to  see  if  there  were  any  troops  in  the  vicinity,  and 
the  scouts  had  reported  "none  discovered,"  but  that  they  had 
seen  vast  herds  of  buffaloes,  deer,  elk  and  antelopes  quietly  graz- 
ing on  the  prairie  undisturbed,  and  no  enemy  in  sight.  When  the 
charge  was  made,  the  spirited  horses  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry 
carried  that  battalion  a  little  more  rapidly  over  the  plains  than 
the  Indian  ponies-  of  the  mounted  infantry,  and  it  was  expected  to 
first  strike  the  enemy  with  the  Seventh  Cavalry.  The  tramp  of  at  least 
six  hundred  horses  over  the  prairie  fairly  shook  the  ground,  and,  although 
a  complete  surprise  to  the  Indians  in  the  main,  it  must  have  given  them  a 
few  minutes'  notice,  for  as  the  troops  charged  against  the  village  the  In- 
dians opened  a  hot  lire  upon  them.  This  momentarily  checked  the  ad- 
vance of  the  Seventh  Cavalry,  which  fell  back,  but  only  for  a  short  distance 
and  quickly  rallied  again  and  charged  forward  at  a  gallop,  driving  that 
portion  of  the  camp  of  the  Indians  before  it. 

At  the  same  time  the  battalion  of  the  Fifth  Infantry  under  Captain 
Snyder  charged  forward  up  to  the  very  edge  of  the  valley  in  which  the 
Indian  camp  was  located,  threw  themselves  upon  the  ground,  holding 
the  lariats  of  their  ponies  in  their  left  hands,  and  opened  a  deadly  fir 
with  their  long  range  rifles  upon  the  enemy  with  telling  effect.  The 
tactics  were  somewhat  in  Indian  fashion,  and  most  effective,  as  they 
'^resented  a  small  target  when  lying  or  kneeling  upon  the  ground,  and 
their  ponies  were  so  accustomed  to  the  din  and  noise  of  the  Indian  camp, 


272 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


the  buffalo  chase  and  the  Indian  habits  generally,  that  they  stood  quietly 
behind  their  riders,  many  of  them  putting  their  heads  down  to  nibble  the 
green  grass  upon  which  they  were  standing.  During  the  desperate  light 
the  horses  and  ponies  were  of  course  exposed,  and  the  infantrymen  had 
become  so  attached  to  their  strong  and  handsome  ponies  that  when  one 
was  shot,  it  was  a  real  bereavement  to  his  owner;  and  in  more  than  one 
case  it  was  noticed  that  tears  filled  the  eyes  of  the  soldier  as  his  favorite 
pony  fell  dead. 

Sergeant  McHugh  had  galloped  forward  with  his  Hotchkiss  breech- 
loading  gun,  keeping  in  line  with  the  mounted  infantry,  and  had  gone  into 
action,  throwing  shells  into  the  camp  with  decided  effect.  The  infantry 
swept  around  to  the  left  to  enclose  that  portion  of  the  camp  and  force  the 
Indians  into  a  deep  ravine.  The  battalion  of  the  Second  Cavalry  had 
stampeded  nearly  every  animal  in  the  valley,  and  portions  of  that  com- 
mand were  used  immediately  in  circling  the  camp,  in  order  to  enclose  it. 

As  I  passed  completely  around  the  Indians  over  the  ground  occupied  by 
the  mounted  infantry  and  the  Second  Cavalry,  to  the  line 
occupied  by  the  Seventh  Cavalry,  I  was  shocked  to  see  the 
lifeless  body  of  that  accomplished  officer  and  thorough  gen- 
tleman. Hale,  lying  upon  the  crest  of  a  little   knoll,  with  his 
white  charger  dead  beside  him.    A  little  further  on  was  the 
body  of  the   young  and  spirited   Biddle.      Captains 
Moylan  and  Godfrey    were  badly  wounded;  and  in 
fact  a  great  part  of  the  line  encircling  the  camp  was 
dotted  with  dead  and  wounded  soldiers  and  horses. 

The  loss  of  the  Nez  Perces  was  even  more 
severe.  The  fight  had  been  sudden,  rapid,  and 
most  desperate  on  both  sides. 

From  what  was  at  fii'st  a  wide  circle  the 
troops  gradually  closed  their  lines,  forcing  the 
Indians  into  a  narrow  ravine,  and  charging  them 
on  all  sides  until  the  grip  of  iron  had  been  com- 
pleted. In  this  way  the  losses  on  both  sides  had 
been  serious  considering  the  number  engaged. 
Captain  Carter  in  one  charge  had  thirty-five  per  cent,  of  his  men  placed  hors 
lie  combat,  but  I  felt  positive  we  had  secured  the  beleaguered  Indians  in  their 
camp  beyond  the  possibility  of  escape.  I  did  not,  therefore,  order  a  gen- 
eral assault,  as  I  knew  it  must  result  in  the  loss  of  many  valuable  lives 
and  possibly  might  end  in  a  massacre.    So  I  directed  the  men  to  hold  their 


C  \PTAix  Hale. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


273 


ground,  and  then,  from  a  high  point,  watched  the  fight  going  on  farther 
down  the  valley. 

As  the  cavalry  charged  the  camp,  a  few  of  the  warriors,  including  White 
Bird,  ran  out  and  secured  their  horses  and  fled  to  the  hills.  As  the  bat- 
talion of  the  Second  Cavalry  swept  down  the  valley  they  became  somewhat 
separated;  Captain  Tyler  captured  some  three  hundred  of  the  ponies; 
Lieutenant  Jerome,  another  large  bunch;  and  Lieutenant  McClernand,  who 
had  swept  on  still  further,  finally  secured  upward  of  three  hundred  more 
some  three  or  four  miles  down  the  valley.  In  moving  them  back,  the 
small  number  of  Indians  who  had  escaped  undertook  to  rescue  the  animals, 
and  made  several  counter  attacks,  which  were  all  successfully  repelled  by 
the  brave  and  judicious  acts  of  McClernand  and  his  men.  The  ponies 
were,  finally,  all  gathered  up  in  a  secluded  valley  in  the  rear  of  the  command, 
and  proved  to  be  eight  hundred  in  number. 

That  afternoon  our  train  came  up  under  the  escort  of  Captain  Brother- 
ton,  and  this  escort,  together  with  the  Napoleon  gun,  was  used  in  strength- 
ening the  line  then  encircling  the  Indian  camp,  making  escape  doubly  dif- 
ficult. 

As  a  result  of  this  desperate  encounter  I  found  that  the  two  officers  be- 
fore mentioned  and  twenty  soldiers  had  been  killed.  My  acting  Assistant 
Adjutant-General  George  W.  Baird.  while  carrying  orders  and  inspiring  the 
command  with  his  own  bravery,  was  severely  wounded,  his  right  arm  being 
broken  and  part  of  one  ear  shot  away.  Lieutenant  Romeyn  was  injured 
while  leading  a  charge.  Besides,  Captains  Moylan  and  Godfrey  together 
with  thii-ty-eight  soldiers  were  wounded. 

The  Indians  occupied  a  crescent-shaped  ravine,  and  it  was  apparent  that 
their  position  could  only  be  forced  by  a  charge  or  a  siege.  The  first  could 
not  be  accomplished  without  too  great  a  sacrifice,  while  the  latter  in  my 
judgment  would  be  almost  sure  to  result  satisfactorily.  My  one  concern 
then  was  whether  the  Sioux  Indians  whom  I  knew  to  be  encamped  under 
Sitting  Bull  norti'  of  the  Canadian  boundary  line,  some  fifty  miles  distant, 
and  to  whom  the  few  Indians  who  had  been  able  to  escape  from  the  village 
had  fled,  might  not  come  to  the  assistance  of  the  Nez  Percys.  During  the 
last  eight  months  numbers  of  disaffected  Indians  that  had  been  driven  out 
of  the  valley  of  the  Yellowstone  and  its  tributaries  had  sought  refuge  on 
Canadian  soil  and  joined  the  large  camp  of  Sitting  Bull,  thus  greatly  in- 
creasing his  force.  I  afterward  learned,  however,  that  when  the  Nez 
Perces  messengers  reached  the  Camp  of  Sitting  Bull,  instead  of  coming  to 
the  assistance  of  the  besieged,  the  whole  camp,  numbering  between  one  and 


^  ii 


I.  ' 


I- 


I     '    li 


274 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


two  thousand  Indians,  who  evidently  had  not  forgotten  their  experiences 
during  the  autumn  and  winter,  immediately  moved  forty  miles  farther  back 
into  the  interior  of  the  Canadian  territory.  Still,  as  I  did  not  know  this 
fact  until  several  weeks  later,  I  was  bound  to  make  provision  to  meet  this 
large  body  of  Indians  should  they  advance  to  the  assistance  of  the  Nez 
Percys. 

I,  therefore,  desired  that  the  military  authorities  should  have  some  in- 
timation of  my  position,  and  to  that  end  sent  word  to  General  Terry,  com- 
manding the  department,  who  was  then  at  Fort  Benton,  nearly  a  hundred 
miles  to  the  west,  apprising  him  of  our  movements  and  success.  I  also 
sent  orders  to  Colonel  Sturgis  to  move  up  and  join  us  without  delay.  He 
was  then  a  hundred  miles  to  the  south  and  separated  from  us  by  the  Mis- 
souri River.    I  likewise  informed  General  Howard  of  our  position. 

As  we  were  besieging  this  camp  of  Indians  and  holding  their  large  herd 
of  stock  in  the  valley,  with  our  large  number  of  wounded  to  be  cared  for, 
I  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  being  besieged  in  our  turn  by  the  hostile  Sioux, 
and  therefore  took  every  possible  precaution  to  meet  such  an  emergency. 
We  had  no  interpreters  w  iio  could  talk  the  Nez  Perce  language  well  enough 
to  be  of  any  use,  but  some  of  the  scouts  could  speak  Chinook,  and  they 
called  out  to  the  Indians  to  surrender.  Joseph  came  up  under  a  flag  of 
truce,  and  from  him  we  learned  that  the  principal  chief,  Looking  Glass, 
and  four  other  chiefs,  had  been  killed,  besides  a  large  number  of  others 
killed  and  wounded.  Joseph  was  informed  that  they  must  surrender  by 
bringing  up  their  arms  and  laying  them  on  the  ground.  They  pretended 
to  do  so  and  brought  up  a  few,  which  amounted  to  nothing  ;  but  hesitated 
greatly  about  surrendering  the  remainder. 

While  this  was  going  on  I  directed  Lieutenant  Jerome  to  ascertain  what 
the  Indians  were  doing  in  the  village,  supposing  that  he  would  go  to  the 
edge  of  the  bluff  and  look  down  into  the  camp.  Misunderstanding  ray 
instructions,  he  went  down  into  the  ravine,  whereupon  he  was  seized  and 
held  until  he  was  exchanged  for  Chief  Joseph. 

It  continued  to  snow  during  the  day,  yet  the  siege  was  kept  up  con- 
tinuously, with  a  sharp  lookout  for  any  force  that  might  come  to  the 
assistance  of  the  Nez  Perces.  On  the  morning  of  the  third  day  of  the  siege 
the  ground  was  well  covered  with  snow,  and  the  scouts  reported  a  large  body 
of  black  objects  on  the  distant  hills,  moving  in  our  direction.  This  occa- 
sioned much  excitement  among  the  troops,  and  every  eye  was  turned  to  the 
north,  from  whence  it  was  feared  that  Sitting  Bull's  hostile  Sioux  and  pos- 
sibly the  Assinneboins  and  Gros  Ventres,  both  of  whom  were  known  to  be 


,:lt 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


275 


cou- 

Do  the 

siege 

ebody 

occa- 

tothe 

pos- 

to  be 


to  the  north  of  us,  might  be  coming  to  the  assistance  of  the  Nez  Percys. 
In  fact  at  one  time  it  was  reported  that  the  moving  column  was  a  large 
body  of  Indians.  Every  officer's  field  glass  was  turned  in  that  direction, 
and  as  the  long,  dark  column  moved  through  the  mist  of  the  light  snow, 
slowly  developing  its  strength  of  numbers  but  not  revealing  its  charac- 
ter, making  its  way  toward  us  over  the  distant  hills  and  rolling  prairie, 
I  am  sure  that  I  watched  it  with  very  great  anxiety.  Considering  our 
condition,  with  the  large  herd  of  captured  stock  we  were  holding,  and 
the  hostile  camp  we  were  besieging,  such  a  formidable  reinforcement 
would  of  course  be  a  very  serious  matter,  and  the  thought  ran  quickly 
through  my  mind  as  to  what  would  be  the  best  disposition  to  make  of  the 
troops  in  order  to  hold  what  we  had  gained  and  repel  any  effort,  no  mat- 
ter how  strong,  to  rescue  the  besieged  or  overcome  our  small  but  very 
efficient  force.  I  concluded  that  we  could  use  our  artillery  and  quite  a  large 
portion  of  our  troops  against  any  additional  enemy  and  still  hold  the  fruits 
of  the  victory  already  gained.  As  the  mysterious  and  apparently  for- 
midable force  drew  nearer  and  nearer,  some  of  the  scouts  on  the  extreme 
outpost  shouted  "  buffalo ! "  and  it  was  a  most  gratifying  cry.  The  relief 
occasioned  by  this  announcement  was  like  that  afforded  to  the  mariner  by 
the  appearance  of  a  beacon  light,  or  like  sunlight  bursting  through  the 
dark  and  angry  clouds  of  a  storm. 

The  snow  and  cold  caused  great  suffering  to  our  wounded,  although 
they  were  made  as  comfortable  as  possible,  and  while  the  siege  continued, 
detachments  were  sent  some  five  miles  distant  up  into  the  Bear's  Paw 
mountains  to  get  poles  with  which  to  make  travois  and  stretchers,  know- 
ing that  the  wounded  must  soon  be  transported  to  the  nearest  hospital. 

On  the  evening  of  the  4th  of  January,  General  Howard  came  up  with  an 
escort  of  twelve  men,  and,  remaining  in  our  camp  over  night,  was  present 
next  morning  at  the  surrender  of  Chief  Joseph  and  the  entire  Indian  camp. 
As  Chief  Joseph  was  about  to  hand  his  rifle  to  me  he  raised  his  eyes  to- 
ward the  sun  which  then  stood  at  about  ten  o'clock,  and  said,  ''From  where 
the  sun  now  stands,  I  fight  no  more  against  the  white  man."  From  that 
time  to  this  he  has  kept  his  word.  Those  who  surrendered  with  Chief 
Joseph  and  tliose  taken  outside  the  camp  numbered  more  than  four  hun- 
dred.   There  were  killed  twenty-six  in  all,  and  forty-six  were  wounded. 

The  work  of  securing  the  arms  of  the  Indians,  burying  the  dead,  and 
preparing  the  wounded  for  their  long  journey  occupied  the  entire  remain- 
der of  the  da3%  and  on  the  following  morning  we  commenced  our  slow  and  dif- 
ficult march  back  to  the  ]\Tissouri  River,  a  distance  of  al)out  sixty-five  miles. 


! 


I  '• 


i 


276 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OP 


During  the  siege  Lieutenant  Maus  had  been  sent  north  with  a  detach- 
ment to,  if  possible,  overtake  White  Bird  and  any  other  Indian  that  had  been 
able  to  escape.  In  this  he  was  to  some  extent  successful,  and  brought 
back  several.  He  also  brought  back  the  information  that  when  the  Indians 
who  had  escaped  reached  the  Assinneboin  camp,  the  friendly  Assinneboins, 
instead  of  coming  to  the  assistance  of  their  beleaguered  brethren,  killed 
the  two  Nez  Perces  and  left  their  bodies  on  the  prairie. 

On  our  return  march,  we  met  Colonel  Sturgis'  command  coming  in  our 


<  ,.  ■ 


Aftkr  the  Battle. 

direction.    Their  services  were  not  required  and  they  were  turned  back 
toward  the  Missouri  River. 

Several  of  our  wounded  died  on  the  way  before  reaching  the  Missouri 
and  had  to  be  buried  beside  the  trail.  We  did  the  same  for  the  Indian 
wounded  who  expired  along  the  way.  The  exquisite  satisfaction  that  is 
the  result  of  a  complete  and  valuable  victory,  thrills  the  heart  of  the  sol- 
dier and  fills  him  with  the  most  delightful  sensations  that  man  can  enjoy 
but  is  changed  to  the  deepest  gloom  as  he  witnesses  the  terrible  sacrifices 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


277 


detach- 
lad  been 
brought 
Indians 
leboins, 
\,  killed 

g  in  our 


id  back 

lissouri 
Indian 
that  is 
the  sol- 
Q  enjoy 
orifices 


of  his  comrades,  far  away  in  a  weird  and  lonely  land,  skirting  along  the 
base  of  cold  and  cheerless  mountains.  Far  from  his  loved  ones,  far  from 
home,  the  wounded  soldier,  enduring  while  he  lives  intense  pain,  finally 
offers  up  his  precious  life  as  a  sacrifice  to  duty  and  to  his  country.  Equally 
melancholy  were  the  scenes  around  the  burial  place  of  some  Indian  war- 
rior who  had  been  considered  a  pillar  of  his  tribe  and  his  race,  the  entire 
Indian  camp  enumerating  his  virtues,  praising  his  prowess,  chanting  his 
requiem  and  bewailing  his  loss. 

On  reaching  the  Missouri  River  as  many  of  the  wounded  as  possible 
were  sent  down  on  the  steamer  that  had  brought  up  an  abundance  of  sup- 
plies for  all  the  commands  in  response  to  my  despatches  sent  on  the  night 
of  September  17.  Crossing  the  Missouri  the  march  was  continued  for 
several  days  over  the  trail  we  had  made  in  coming  up,  until  we  reached  the 
Yellowstone.  As  the  force  moved  across  the  rolling  prairie  it  appeared 
like  a  great  caravan.  There  were  three  battalions  of  well-equipped,  hardy, 
resolute  soldiers,  with  artillery,  besides  upward  of  four  hundred  prisoners; 
and  on  the  opposite  flank,  some  distance  away,  were  driven  over  six  hun- 
dred of  the  captured  stock,  while  in  the  rear  were  the  travois  and  ambu- 
lances, bearing  the  wounded,  followed  by  the  pack-trains  and  wagon 
trains,  and  all  covered  by  advance  guards,  flankers,  and  rear  guards. 

At  the  cantonment,  now  Fort  Keogh,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Yellow- 
stone, the  news  of  our  movements  and  successes  had  preceded  us  by  several 
days.  As  soon  as  the  Nez  Perces  had  surrendered,  I  called  up  the  chiefs  of 
our  friendly  Cheyennes  and  Sioux  and  complimented  them  on  their  loyalty 
and  courage.  They  were  thirty  in  number,  under  the  command  of  Hump, 
White  Bull  and  Brave  Wolf.  I  have  previously  mentioned  their  transfor- 
mation from  listless  flankers  to  a  spirited  and  brave  advance  guard  as  we 
approached  the  enemy,  and  they  had  throughout  the  engagement  rendered 
the  most  valuable  services.  On  their  swift  ponies  they  had  dashed  down 
the  valley  and  aided  the  soldiers  in  stampeding  the  Nez  Perc6  herd,  chas- 
ing them  and  rounding  them  up  at  convenient  points,  and  had  then  re- 
turned to  the  left  of  the  line  encircling  the  camp  where  the  most  des- 
perate fighting  was  going  on.  Hump  killed  two  Nez  Perces  with  his  own 
hands,  and  was  severely  wounded  himself.  They  maintained  their  posi- 
tion with  remarkable  fortitude  and  discharged  all  the  duties  required  of 
them  during  the  five  days  siege.  At  its  close  I  directed  the  officer  in  charge 
of  the  Nez  Perc6  herd  to  give  each  of  them  five  ponies  as  a  reward  for  their 
gallant  service.  In  selecting  these  one  hundred  and  fifty  animals  it  is  fair 
to  presume  that  they  did  not  choose  any  of  the  second  class. 


278 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


l! 


As  an  illuHtration  of  their  endurance  when  in  full  strength  and  good 
condition  for  the  field  or  the  chase,  it  may  be  said  that  these  Indians  with 
their  wounded  (Hump  being  shot  through  the  body  and  another  Indian, 
White  Wolf,  having  part  of  his  skull  carried  away  so  that  the  surgeon  look- 
ing into  the  wound  could  see  a  portion  of  his  brain)  and  their  captured  herd 
of  horses,  made  a  rapid  march  of  nearly  two  hundred  miles,  swimming  both 
the  Missouri  and  the  Yellowstone,  and  arrived  at  the  cantonment  some  four 
days  in  advance  of  the  command. 

The  arrival  of  this  body  of  Indians  at  the  cantonment  under  the  cir- 
cumstances created  the  greatest  consternation  in  the  families  of  the 
oflicers  and  soldiers  and  among  the  other  people  who  had  remained  at  the 
garrison.  They  came  in  shouting  and  crying  the  results  of  their  prowess 
and  their  victory.  They  were  painted  in  gorgeous  colors  to  indicate  their 
rejoicing.  And  yet,  as  they  were  several  hours  in  advance  of  the  interpre- 
ter, it  was  impossible  for  them  to  make  known  to  the  anxious  assembly 
that  gathered  about  them,  the  results  of  the  battle.  It  was  only  known 
by  their  having  the  Nez  Perc6  stock  that  they  had  been  in  an  engage- 
ment. They  made  signs  that  two  of  the  officers  w^ere  dead  and  several 
wounded,  and  they  also  made  signs  that  the  big  chief  was  all  right,  to  the 
great  delight  of  my  wife  and  little  daughter,  yet  for  several  hours  the 
other  officers'  families  were  in  great  distress  and  full  of  anxiety  to  learn 
what  two  officers  had  been  killed,  and  it  was  not  until  three  or  four  hours 
later  when  the  interpreter,  John  Brughier,  arrived,  that  they  could  be  in- 
formed. Although  a  good  rider,  Brughier  had  not  been  able  to  keep  up 
with  the  pace  of  the  Indians.  When  he  did  arrive  he  announced  that  the 
two  officers  were  the  two  bachelors.  Hale  and  Biddle,  and  also  gave  the 
names  of  the  others  who  had  been  killed  and  wounded.  There  were  then 
three  days  of  anxious  waiting  for  the  returning  command. 

On  the  fourth  day  it  made  its  appearance  on  the  high  bluffs  to  the  west, 
slowly  approaching  the  edge  of  the  mesa  and  descending  along  the  wind- 
ing trail  down  to  the  ferry  which  crossed  the  Yellowstone  at  the  point 
where  twenty-seven  days  before  it  had  climbed  the  steep  in  the  darkness 
of  the  night  and  the  gray  of  the  morning  of  September  18.  The  families 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  and  all  the  other  people  at  the  garrison,  includ- 
ing the  band  of  the  Fifth  Infantry,  citizens  and  Indians,  lined  the  bank 
of  the  Yellowstone;  and  as  some  of  the  principal  officers,  including  myself 
together  with  Chief  Joseph  and  one  or  two  of  the  principal  Indians, 
stepped  into  the  boat,  and  it  moved  from  the  northern  shore,  the  band 
struck  up  "  Hail  to  the  Chief,"  and  then  as  we  neared  the  other  shore,  it 


OENEHAL  NKL80N  A.  MILES. 


279 


id  good 
iH  with 
Indian, 
)n  look- 
ed herd 
ng  both 
ne  four 

:he  cir- 
of  the 
at  the 
prowess 
be  their 
iterpre- 
isembly 
known 
engage- 
several 
,  to  the 
urs  the 
learn 
hours 
be  in- 
eep  up 
lat  the 
,ve  the 
e  then 

|e  west, 
wind- 
point 
irkness 
^milies 
includ- 
bank 
lyself 
idians, 
band 
lore,  it 


suddenly  changed  to  "  0,  no!  no!  not  for  Joseph,"  which  it  played   for  a 
short  time,  and  then  went  back  to  the  former  stmin. 

The  Nez  Perco  Indians  were  given  a  comfortable  camp  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  Yellowstone,  and  it  was  my  purpose  to  keep  them  there  dur- 
ing the  winter  and  send  them  back  ♦o  Idaho  in  the  spring.  They  were  a 
very  bright  and  energetic  body  of  Indians;  indeed  the  most  intelligent  that 
I  have  ever  seen.  Exceedingly  self-reliant,  each  individual  man  seemed 
to  be  able  to  do  his  own  thinking,  and  to  be  purely  democratic  and  inde- 
pendent in  his  ideas 
and  purposes.  It 
was  my  opinion  that 
if  they  were  justly 
treated  they  could 
be  made  a  loyal  and 
useful  people.  They 
remained  in  that 
place  for  ten  days 
or  two  weeks,  when 
I  received  an  order 
from  the  higher  au- 
thorities to  send 
them  down  the  river  to  Bis- 
marck, Dakota.  They  were 
therefore  placed  in  boats  and 
sent  down  the  Yellowstone  to 
its  junction  with  the  Missouri, 
thence  down  the  Missouri  to 
Bismarck. 

In    passing     the    Mandan 
agency  on  this  journey,  a  sin- 
"TiioHK  iNDiASH  Ahk  Bao."  galnY  Incidcut  occurred.    The 

officer  in  charge  stopped  at  that  agency  for  two  hours  to  get  some 
supplies  he  required,  and  during  that  time  the  Nez  Perces  had  great 
curiosity  to  see  the  Mandans;  and  the  Mandans  in  their  turn,  had 
heard  much  about  the  Nez  Perces,  and  were  equally  anxious  to  see  these 
people  of  a  different  tnl)e,  from  a  distant  part  of  the  country,  and  yet  of 
the  same  race.  Among  the  Nez  Perces  was  an  old  Indian  nearly 
seventy  years  of  age,  who  had  been  named  "George  Washington." possibly 
on  the  presumption  that  he  and  the  Father  of  his  Country  possessed  at 


5  iV 


Mr 


!  n 


i| 


11 


''&;il<  J 


;    i 


280 


PEKSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


least  one  characteristic  in  common,  and  if  so,  in  this  instance  he  certainly 
maintained  that  reputation.  After  leaving  the  Mandan  agency  and  con- 
tinuing down  the  river,  this  old  man  said  to  the  ofKcer  in  charge,  "Those 
Mandans  back  there  are  bad  Indians."  The  officer  asked  him  why,  and  he 
replied,  "Because  they  stole  two  Nez  Perce  blankets."  Now,  in  their  tre- 
mendous march  of  nearly  a  thousand  miles,  together  with  the  severe 
engagements  in  which  they  had  taken  part,  the  Nez  Perces  had  lost  nearly 
everything.  Therefore  the  officer  could  not  help  thinking  how  much  they 
needed  tiie  blankets  in  the  appr^>aching  cold  winter,  and  accordingly  ex- 
pressed much  sympathy,  though  of  course  it  was  impossible  to  turn  back 
up  the  stream  to  recover  them.  Finally,  after  giving  his  strong  condem- 
nation of  the  theft  it  occurred  to  him  to  ask  George  Washington  if  the 
Nez  Perces  had  taken  anything  belonging  to  the  Mandans.  "0,  yes,"  he 
responded,  "we got  away  with  four  buffalo  robes."  So  it  seems  the  Man- 
dans were  not  the  only  l)ad  Indians,  according  to  his  own  standard. 

From  Bisnuirck  they  were  ordered  to  be  sent  to  Fort  Leavenworth, 
Kansas,  where  they  remained  during  the  winter,  and  in  the  spring  they 
were  sent  to  the  Indian  Territory.  They  remained  there  for  a  few  years, 
and  the  low  malarial  district  and  climate  in  which  they  lived  caused  sad 
havoc  in  their  ranks.  In  a  short  time  they  had  lost  nearly  fifty  per  cent, 
of  their  number  by  death.  I  frequently  and  persistently  for  seven  long 
years  urged  that  they  ])e  sent  home  to  their  own  country,  but  not  until 
1SS4,  when  I  was  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Columbia,  did  1 
succeed  in  having  them  returned  west  of  the  mountains  to  near  their  own 
country,  where  they  have  remained  at  peace  ever  since. 


>> 


he 


\ 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


283 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
A  Viair  TO  Custer's  Last  Battlbpibld. 

A  Season  OF  Quiet — The  Crow  Inoian  Camp  — An  Indian  Field  Day  —  Colors  and  DisomsRs 

OF  THK  Indian  Warrior  and  Hunter — An   Indian  Sham  Battle — Journey  to  the 

CiHTER  Battleground — Indian  Explanation  of  the  Fight — Nature  of 

the  Ground  and  the  Disposition  and  Movements  of  Custer's 

Command  —  Why    the     Battle  Was     Lost. 

^%, ,  S  the  Sioux  Indians  had  now,  during  the  spring  of  1878,  been 
cleared  out  of  that  vast  country  in  which  they  had  so  long 
been  accustomed  to  roam,  I  took  advantage  of  the  period  of 
peace  and  quiet  and  organized  a  small  expedition  to  move  up 
the  Yellowstone  from  the  cantonment,  or  Fort  Keogh  (as  it 
will  hereafter  be  called),  to  the  mouth  of  the  Big  Horn.  I  had 
with  me  several  officers  and  one  troop  of  cavalry  as  an  escort. 
At  the  junction  of  the  Big  Horn  and  Yellowstone  we  found 
a  very  large  camp  of  Crow  Indians.  In  fact  the  whole  Crow  tribe 
had  gathered  there,  some  seven  hundred  lodges,  numbering  thirty-five 
hundred  people.  The  Crows  were  very  rich  in  horses;  it  was  estimated  that 
at  that  time  they  had  some  fifteen  thousand.  They  had  been  from  time 
immemorial  bitter  enemies  of  the  Dakota  Indians.  These  ancient  antag- 
onists had  constantly  raided  each  other's  territory,  had  stolen  horses,  and 
had  committed  depredations  upon  each  other  whenever  possible.  The 
Dakotas,  however,  had  always  had  the  greater  advantage  in  superior  num- 
bers and  fighting  qualities,  and  in  the  course  of  years  they  had  driven  the 
Crows  back  into  the  recesses  of  the  Rocky  mountains  as  their  only  safe  re- 
treat. Having  heard  of  the  successes  of  our  troops  during  the  winter  and 
spring  campaigns,  the  Crows  were  overjoyed  that  their  hereditary  enemy 
had  been  driven  out  of  the  country  or  forced  to  surrender  to  the  United 
States  authorities.  They  looked  upon  a^iy  one  who  could  conquer  the 
Sioux  with  a  feeling  of  awe  and  profound  reverence,  and  learning  that  we 
were  about  to  pass  near  their  camp,  they  desired  to  celebrate  with  bar- 
baric splendor  our  victory  over  the  Sioux  and  our  presence  with  them. 
Having  solicited  our  permission  for  the  display,  they  informed  me  that  it 
would  be  necessary  that  at  least  three  days  should  be  given  to  preparing 


t 
"« 


284 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


I 


their  camp  to  properly  receive  us  and  pay  the  homage  they  desired  to 
render. 

As  we  were  moving  leisurely  up  the  Yellowstone,  going  by  easy 
marches  and  enjoying  the  beautiful  scenery,  it  was  quite  practicable  to 
comply  with  their  wishes.  The  country  was  covered  with  an  abundance 
of  rich  green  verdure,  the  trees  were  in  full  foliage  and  the  wild  flowers  and 
birds  were  numerous;  we,  therefore,  decided  to  camp  on  the  banks  of  the 
Yellowstone  where  we  could  enjoy  excellent  fishing  and  bathing,  and  at 
the  same  time  accept  the  hospitality  of  the  Crows  and  witness  a/e^e  given 
according  to  their  ideas  of  magnificence. 

During  these  three  days  they  sent  out  into  the  hills  and  adjacent 
country  for  their  best  -    war   horses,  and 

much  of  the  time  was  ..  .  -    r-^.;^      spent  in  decorating 


themselves  and  their 

horses   with    all  the 

splendor  that  savage  -'-    ■ 

ingenuity  could  sug-  ^"'"'^^'  ^'''''  ^'^• 

gest.    Tn  the  afternoon  of  the  third  day  the  officers  were  invited  to 

take  position  near  the  center  of  the  camp  and  witness  the  imposing 

ceremony,  which  commenced    by  the    assembling  of  all  the    principal 

warriors  on  a  great  plain  between  the  camp  and  the  distant  bluffs.     They 

were  fully  up  to  expectations  in  the  most  gorgeous  equipments  that  it  was 

possible  for  them  to  display,  and  being  a  rich  tribe  their  blankets,  feather, 

shell,  porcupine  and  bead-work,  were  of  the  most  extravagant  order. 

At  a  signal  given  by  firing  a  rifle,  the  whole  body  of  warriors  shouted 
and  moved  forward,  following  their  leader  in  columns  of  twos  with  fair 
military  precision  toward  the  end  of  the  camp,  thence  toward  the  center 
and  passing  out  at  the  opposite  end.    As  they  passed  through  the  camp 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


286 


the  horses  were  careering  and  prancing,  and  the  men  were  shouting,  sing- 
ing war  songs  and  firing  their  rifles  in  the  air.  It  was  a  wild  and  pictur- 
esque scene,  and  as  they  passed  in  review  before  the  head  chief,  Blac'j 
Foot  and  myself,  we  were  saluted  with  every  mark  of  respect. 

In  all  my  experience  with  Indians  I  have  never  seen  such  a  display  of 
decorations.  The  men  were  painted,  and  ornamented  with  the  most  bril- 
liant feather-work.  Their  eagle  headdresses  were  waving  in  the  air. 
Bear-claw  necklaces  hung  about  their  necks  and  scalp  locks  adorned  their 
spears.  Their  war  jackets  were  bespangler'  with  glittering  pieces  of  flash- 
ing silver,  elk  teeth  and  mother-of-pearl,  and  one  of  the  singular  features 
of  the  display  consisted  in  the  fact  that  in  the  whole  number  there  were 
no  two  Indians  decked  alike.  They  did  not  copy  or  duplicate,  and  all  their 
work  was  of  original  design.  The  colors  were  of  the  strongest  and  most 
durable  character.  Many  of  the  war  jackets  could  hardly  have  been  pur- 
chased at  any  price,  each  one  being  the  result  of  almost  the  work  of  a  life- 
time. The  eagle  feathers,  the  porcupine  work,  the  bear-claw  necklaces 
and  the  scalp  locks  of  their  enemies,  were  evidences  of  their  wealth  as  well 
as  their  prowess  in  war  and  the  chase.  Their  ponies  were  painted  with 
ingenious  and  curious  characters,  and  bedecked  with  hawk's  feathers  and 
horsehair  ornaments  even  to  the  very  tips  of  their  ears. 

There  was  also  a  display  of  their  ingenuity  in  disguises,  which  was 
most  remarkable.  I  noticed  a  man  passing  along  not  more  than  two  hun- 
dred yards  away,  distinctly  outlined  against  a  background  of  blue-green 
sage  brush.  As  he  came  nearer,  to  my  surprise  there  came  into  view,  rid- 
ing by  his  side,  a  companion  with  scarcely  a  particle  of  clothing,  his  entire 
person,  face,  body,  arms  and  hair,  as  well  as  the  whole  body  of  his  horse, 
being  painted  exactly  the  color  of  the  sage  brush.  This  was  done  evi- 
dently to  show  his  skill  as  a  hunter  in  disguising  himself  and  his  horse, 
and  his  artistic  talent  in  the  use  of  their  native  colors  and  paints.  Many 
similar  disguises  of  hofse  and  rider  were  exhibited  and  there  was  no  hyp- 
notism, but  genuine,  ingenious  and  artistic  deception. 

As  the  procession  moved  on  it  evidently  excited  the  admiration  and 
pride  of  the  entire  Indian  camp,  as  well  as  gratified  the  curiosity  of  the 
oflBcers  and  soldiers  who  beheld  it.  I  thought  at  the  time  how  unfortunate 
it  was  that  there  was  not  present  some  photographer  or  artist  who  could 
have  given  us  an  exact  photograph  of  the  scene  or  have  placed  it  upon 
enduring  canvas. 

Going  on  to  the  end  of  their  camp,  they  turned  and  again  moved  out  on 
the  prairie,  where  they  separated  into  two  large  bodies,  which  took  position 


286 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


I '  I 


about  a  thousand  yards  apart  and  facing  each  other.  Then,  at  a  given 
signal  from  the  chief,  th*?y  both  dashed  forward  in  sham  battle,  giving  one 
of  the  most  perfect  portrayals  of  a  real  combat  I  have  ever  witnessed. 
Discharging  their  rifles  in  the  air  with  great  rapidity  and  skill,  they  went 
through  various  evolutions  of  an  Indian  battle  with  wonderful  rapidity 
and  spirit.  Some  pretended  to  be  thrown  from  their  horses  and  were 
picked  up  from  the  ground  by  their  comrades  and  carried  away;  othei*s 
personated  the  wounded  and  dead.  The  sham  combat  lasted  for  probably 
half  an  hour  and  was  of  absorbing  interest  to  the  lookers  on. 

Later  we  talked  with  Curley,  a  young  Crow  warrior,  who  had  been  with 
Custer's  command  up  to  the  opening  of  his  last  battle,  and  was  the  only 
one  who  escaped.  All  that  could  be  learned  from  him  was  that  he  left  very 
early  in  the  fight,  and  he  evidently  knew  nothing  of  the  details  of  the 
engagement. 

From  this  camp  we  moved  on  up  the  Big  Horn  to  th°>  junction  of  that 
stream  with  the  Little  Big  Horn,  where  the  military  post  of  Fort  Custer 
is  now  located;  thence  up  the  valley  of  the  Little  Big  Horn  to  the  scene  of 
the  Custer  massacre.  Here  we  camped  for  several  days  and  made  a  full 
examination  of  the  ground.  To  assist  in  this  we  had  arranged  to  be  joined 
here  by  twenty-five  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  Sioux  and  Cheyenne 
warriors  who  had  surrendered  to  us  in  the  month  of  February,  1877, 
accompanied  by  an  oflRcer  in  charge.  They  had  become  thoroughly  recon- 
ciled to  their  new  mode  of  life,  and  were  evidently  quite  determined  to 
remain  loyal  to  the  government  and  entirely  peaceable.  Some  of  them 
had  rendered  good  service  in  the  capture  of  Lame  Deer's  camp,  and  they  were 
all  animated  by  a  feeling  of  strong  confidence,  so  that  they  talked  freely  as 
to  their  past  history,  and  were  willing  to  give  us  all  the  information  they 
could  about  that  most  important  event  of  their  lives,  the  battle  that  had 
occurred  on  this  ground  just  two  years  before.  The  engagement  and 
massacre  had  occurred  in  June,  1876,  and  we  were  now  encamped  there  in 
June,  1878,  for  the  purpose  of  going  carefully  over  the  entire  field. 

The  Indians  who  went  over  the  ground  with  me  explained  the  fight  in 
this  way.  They  stated  that  when  the  alarm  was  given  it  was  understood 
that  the  troops  were  attacking  the  upper  end  of  the  village.  This  was  the 
attack  by  Reno's  command.  Then  the  warriors  rushed  for  their  arms  and 
ran  out  on  the  plains  to  secure  their  war  horses.  After  mounting  they 
assembled  out  on  the  mesa,  some  five  hundred  yards  from  the  Little  Big 
Horn.  The  Indians  in  the  upper  end  of  the  village,  and  the  first  in 
engaging  Reno's  troops,  were  chiefly  Uncpapas  and  Ogalallas,  and  they 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


287 


state  that  when  the  troops  left  their  position  and  ran  out  of  the  shelter  of 
the  timber,  they  pursued  them  as  they  would  a  herd  of  buffaloes.  They 
pointed  out  the  place  a  short  distance  from  the  timber  where  they  killed 
the  first  soldier,  who  had,  as  they  said,  a  "large  yellow  stripe  down  the 
side  of  his  trousers."  This  meant  that  the  fii-st  man 
they  killed  was  a  sergeant  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry. 
They  then  pointed  out  the  places  where  they  had 
killed  others  as  they  were  crossing  the  plain,  fording 
the  river,  or  ascending  the  bluffs. 

Just  as  they  had  followed  Reno's  command  up  the 
bluffs  and   into  Benteen's  command,  the  alarm   was 
raised  that  other  troops  were  attacking  the  center  of 
the  village.    This  was  Custer's  command,  and  it  was 
engaging  the  Minneconjoux  and  the  Sans  Arcs.    As 
the  Indians  tell  the  story,  this  was  a  stand-off  fight 
— give  and  take.     The  Uncpapas  andOgalallas 
had   mostly  crossed  the  Little  Big  Horn,  and 
had  gone  up  on  the  hill,  following  Reno's  com- 
mand when    this  alarm  was  given.     Then  they 
left  Reno  and  went  to  the  protection  of  their 
camp,   moving  down  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
Little  Big  Horn  to  do  so. 

The  Cheyennes  were  encamped  at  the  extreme 
lower  end  of  the  village,  and  did  not  get  up  in 
time  to  take  part  in  the  pursuit  of  Reno's  troops 
before  the  report  of  this  attack  on  the  center 
of  the  village  was  received.  These  did  not, 
therefore,  cross  the  Little  Big  Horn  with  the 
others,  but  when  they  returned,  moved  down  on  the  same  side  up  which  they 
had  previously  gone,  passing  through  the  village  to  the  extreme  lower  end, 
and  then  crossing  the  stream,  they  took  position  on  the  left  of  the  Minne- 
conjoux and  San  Arcs,  and  attacked  the  right  flank  of  Custer's  command. 
The  Ogalallas  and  Uncpapas  that  had  moved  down  on  the  right  bank,  as 
stated,  took  position  on  the  right  of  the  Minneconjoux.  and  massed  in  the 
low  ground  near  the  left  of  Custer's  line,  held  by  Lieutenants  Calhoun  and 
Crittenden. 

Here  for  some  time  it  was  an  even  contest.  It  must  have  lasted  at 
least  two  hours  according  to  the  report  of  firing  heard  by  the  men  of 
Reno's  command,  and  the  statements  of  the  Indians.    As  they  say,  it  was 

M— 17 


ClRLEY.  Sol.K  SlRVIVOK  OF  CtsTEB's 

Last  Batti-e. 


% 


PERSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


nil  even  fight  until  they  had  massed  on  the  left  of  Custer's  command  and 
made  a  charge  which  turned  the  left  of  his  line.  They  then  swept  down 
from  the  left  to  the  right,  rolling  his  command  up  in  confusion  and  de- 
struction.   As  the  right  of  the  line  was  reached,  those  who  had  not  been 


Ci'stkk's  Last  Stand. 


killed  let  go  their  horses,  and  the  Cheyennes  report  that  they  captured 
most  of  these.  Many  of  the  horses  on  the  right  of  the  line,  including  the 
gray  troop,  had  been  killed  by  the  soldiers  and  their  bodies  used  as  a  pro- 
tection from  behind  which  to  continue  the  fight.    The  Indians  say  that 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


289 


the  fight  was  kept  up  until  all  the  troops  were  killed  or  disabled  except 
about  forty  men  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  line.  These,  as  a  last  resort, 
suddenly  rose  and  made  a  rush  toward  the  timber,  skirting  the  bank  of  the 
Little  Big  Horn,  a  distance  of  two  hundred  yards,  approximately.  This 
was  evidently  a  forlorn  hope,  as  the  fire  was  then  so  hot  from  all  direc- 
tions that  they  realized  that  it  was  only  a  question  of  a  short  time  when 
they  must  all  be  killed  if  they  remainea  where  they  were.  The  Indians 
state  that  as  these  men  rushed  toward  the  timber  they  ni*st  stai*ted  in  the 
direction  of  a  small  ravine,  but  as  the  fire  was  so  hot  from  the  position 
that  the  Cheyennes  had  taken  up,  they  swerved  toward  the  head  of  a 
neighboring  ravine.  But  the  Indians  killed  the  last  one  before  he  reached 
the  timber.  The  graves  of  these  men  to-day  confirm  this  account  of  that 
part  of  the  tragedy,  and  the  fact  that  there  were  no  horses  found  along 
this  line  of  bodies  indicates  that  their  version  of  it  is  correct,  and  that 
Custer  and  his  command  never  went  down  that  ravine. 

The  distance  across  the  valley  from  the  position  first  occupied  by  Reno, 
where  Custer  undoubtedly  expected  him  to  remain,  and  the  position  where 
Custer's  command  fought,  is  not  more  than  two  miles.  In  fact  one  is  in 
plain  sight  from  the  other.  Rifle  shots  from  one  would  cross  the  line  of 
file  of  the  other.  In  other  woi-ds,  any  enemy  between  the  two  commands 
would  have  been  under  the  fire  of  both.  Had  Reno  remained  in  that  posi- 
tion, it  would  have  enabled  Benteen  to  "come  on"  and  **  be  quick"  as  he 
had  been  ordered  and  as  he  was  doing.  It  would  have  brought  him  into 
position  and  into  action  between  the  two  commands  of  Custer  and  Reno. 
The  only  difference  in  the  original  formation  would  have  been  that  Reno's 
and  Benteen's  commands  would  have  exchanged  places,  and  Benteen's  com- 
mand would  have  been  in  the  center  instead  of  oil  the  left. 

When  asked  what  would  have  been  the  result  if  Reno  had  not  retreated, 
the  Indians  frankly  said  that  if  he  had  not  run,  they  would  have  fled. 
They  were  also  asked  what  the  consequences  would  have  been  if  Reno  with 
the  seven  troops  had  followed  the  llncpapas  and  Ogalallas  when  they  turned 
and  went  down  to  the  assistance  of  the  Indians  in  the  village,  and  they 
candidly  admitted  that  they  would  have  been  between  two  fires.  In  other 
words  the  battle  was  lost  twice,  not  by  the  action  of  Custer,  however,  for 
his  command  fought  gallantly  as  long  as  it  lasted,  and  he  had  given  proper 
and  judicious  orders  to  the  other  commands. 

It  is  not  expected  that  five  troops  could  have  whipped  that  body  of  In- 
dians, neither  is  it  believed  that  that  body  of  Indians  could  have  whipped 
twelve  troops  of  the  Seventh  Cavalry  under  Custer's  command,  or  if  his 


' 


m  i 


I/: 


i'l     i 


u 


m 


':}'■ 

i 

1 

:        1 

1 

llf,': 

;  ■  (' 

wLtf 

i  '' 

iaH 

;  1 

■ 


'  1 


290 


PKIiSONAI,  UKCOfJ.KCTIONS  OF 


orders  lisul  Immmi  properly  executed.  The  luet  that  after  Custer's  five 
tn»ops  had  heeu  aunihilated,  the  Indians  who  came  hack  and  enga^Hnl  the 
Heveii  troops  were  repulsed,  and  that  they  faih'd  to  dish)d}^'e  these  troops, 
is  i)root'  that  the  force  was  amply  stron{jj,  if  it  had  (»nly  acted  in  full  con- 
cert. No  commanding  oflicer  can  win  victories  with  seven-twelfths  of  his 
command  remaining  out  of  the  engagement  when  within  sound  of  hisriHe- 
shois.  (Jrouchy  did  not  come  up  to  the  "sound  of  the  guns,"  but  Hlucher 
did;  and  the  historic  Waterloo  was  the  result. 

The  distance  from  where  the  running  Keno  halted  and  ke[)t  the  seven 
trooi)s  and  the  reserve  ammunition,  to  the  extreme  right  of  Custer's  com- 
nuind  was  about  four  miles.  A  cavalry  horse  walked  tlitit  distance  in  lifty- 
eight  minutes.  Ata  smart  trot  or  gallop,  as  a  cavalryman  goes  into  action. 
Hfteen  minutes  would  have  brimght  the  whole  comnumd  into  the  engage- 
ment and  the  result  might  have  been  entirely  ditterent.  This  we  proved 
on  that  same  ground  by  the  actual  test  of  moving  our  horses  over  it,  and 
timing  them  by  the  watch. 

As  the  lips  of  Custer  and  those  who  died  with  him  are  forever  sealed, 
and  since  tlieie  w..s  no  oHicial  investigation  of  a/l  f/ir  ciirniHsfdnccs  that 
resulted  in  such  a  tenible  disaster,  it  is  but  charity  to  withhold  any  severe 
criticism  upon  so  gallant  and  distinguished  an  ollicer  with  such  a  brilliant 
record  as  he  had  made  in  su<*cessfully  handling  large  bodies  of  troops  dur 
ing  the  great  war.  It  is  one  of  the  saddest  and  greatest  sacrilices  that  was 
ever  made  by  lieroic  men  on  any  battlefield  No  man  of  military  knowl- 
edge in  riding  over  this  Held  now,  and  examining  the  position  that  Custer 
quickly  took  ui)on  that  crest  cominanding  the  valley,  could  fail  to  recog- 
nize the  military  ability  of  that  commander;  and  those  graves  remain  as 
monuments  to  the  fortitude  of  mer  who  stoftd  their  ground. 

Custer's  body  was  not  mutilated,  but  he  had  received  a  rifle  shot 
through  the  body  and  one  through  the  head. 

The  Indians  further  explained  that  after  the  tight  was  over  the  I'nc- 
papas,  who.  previous  to  the  engagement,  had  been  encamped  at  the  upper 
end  of  the  village,  struck  their  camp  at  the  advance  of  Keno's  command, 
and  afterward  went  into  camp  at  the  other  end  of  the  village,  and  pitched 
their  tents  near  the  Cheyennes,  where  they  remained  for  two  days.  Thus, 
the  impression  was  given  to  the  troops  that  afterward  went  over  the  field 
and  examined  the  camp  ground,  that  a  larger  body  of  Indians  had  camped 
there  than  was  actually  the  case,  or,  in  other  words,  there  seemed  to 
have  been  a  larger  camp  than  there  really  was.  From  such  information  as 
[  could  obtain  from  the  Indians  themselves,  the  number  of  their  warriors 


h 


H  Hve 
I'd  the 

11  con- 

of  liis 

is  liHe- 

luclier 

seven 

s   CCIIU- 

n  lifty- 
action. 

pioved 
it,  and 

sealed, 
r.s  that 
■  severe 
rilliant 
ps  dur- 
lat  AViis 
kiiowl- 
C  lister 
»  recojjf- 
nain  as 

le  shot 

Inc- 
iil)l)er 
iiuind. 
)itehed 

Thus. 
18  field 
amped 
ned  to 
tion  as 
arriors 


w 

•/) 
I 

ui 

z 

o 

Q. 


H 

a. 

< 
o 

z 
o 

> 
oc 

H 
Z 
< 
u. 

z 

UJ 

I 
I- 

o 

z 

H 
Z 

O 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


208 


did  not  exceed  thirty-Hve  hundred.  Captain  I'hilo  Clark,  who  subHe- 
quently  had  charge  of  the  surrendered  Indiana,  and  <;ouid  readily  talk  the 
Hign  language,  inveHtigati^d  thin  matter  with  great  care,  inquiring  of  tho 
moat  intelligent  Indians  in  each  band  of  Sioux  and  also  among  the  Chey- 
ennes,  Anipahoes,  etc.,  and  he  considered  twenty-six  hundred  as  the 
maximum  number  of  warriors  in  that  affair.  At  all  events,  they  greatly 
outnumbered  Custer's  command.  Yet  this  has  been  the  case  in  many 
Indian  engagements. 


294 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XXm. 
The  Bannock  Campaign. 

ClIAXOES      WhOI'OUT     by     PCArK  —  KaILKOAI)     SrnVKYS       and      TkIvKORAIMI      LiXES  — ISTERRl'l'TEI) 
JoL'UNEY    TO    YkM.OWSToXE     PaKK  —  NeWS    OP   THE     BaS.VOOKS  —  RlOCil X.VINCI     OP     THE    CAM- 
PAIGN—  The  C'kows    as    Am.ies  —  The    Stealthy    Ai'I'uoacii  —  Attack    and 
ViCTt)HY  —  Losses — The  Keti'kx — An  Indian  Bukial  —  Joikxey 
TO    Yem.owstone    Pakk     Kesi'mki)  —  The    Moixtaix 

B'>'KALO  —  SCENKUY    OP   THE    UolTE  —  A    WON- 
DERLAND—  Fourteen    Years    Later. 

URTNG   the    autumn    and   winter  of    this  year    1H78,  active  op- 
^y     orations   were  still   suspended,  as  the  entire  country  had  been 
cleared    for  the  second  time  of    hostile    Indians.      The    spring 
had    opened    early    and    delightfully.      Fort    Keogh    had    now 
taken    the    place    of    the    temporary   cantonment,    and    Fort 
Custer  had   been  built  at  the  junction  of  the  Little  Big  Horn 
and  the   Big  Horn   Rivers.      The  valleys   of   the    Yellowstone, 
the  Tongue,  the  Rosebud,  and  the  Powder  Rivers  were   being  rapidly 
occup' 'd    by    settlers,    and    mail   routes  were  being    estal)lished.      The 
mails   arrived  and   departed    at   first  once    a    week  and    afterward  tri- 
w^Cikly.     Kaiir^ad  surveys  were  made  for  the  construction  of  the   North- 
ern Pacific   Railway.      Military    telegraph   lines  were  established   fi'om 
Fort  KetJgh  eastward  three  hundred  miles  to  Bismarck,  Dakota,    south- 
east two  hundred  miles  to  Deadwood,  Dakota,  in  the  Black  Hills,  and  west 
two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  Fort  Ellis  in  Montana,  where  the  line  com- 
municated with  others  running  to  the  Pacific  Coast.     In  constructing  these 
military  lines  it  was  somewhat  singular  to  see  soldiers  mounted  on  captured 
Indian  ponies,  riding  rapidly  from  point  to  point,  raising  telegraph  poles, 
stretching  telegraph  wires,  and  thereby  opening  communication  with  the 
outer  world.    In  this  progressive  work  they  used  the  same  means  of  transit 
the  Indians  had  used  in  obstructing  the  onward  march  of  civilization. 

In  the  summer  of  1878,  taking  advantage  of  the  period  of  rest  and 
quiet,  I  organized  an  expedition  to  establish  a  wagon  route  and  telegraph 
line  west  of  Fort  Keogh,  to  reconnoitre  the  country,  and  also  to  visit  the 
Yellowstone  Park.    I  selected  a  command  from  among  the  most  experienced 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


295 


veterans  of  the  Indian  Territory  and  the  Northwest  campaigns,  and  then 
with  a  strong  wagon-train,  a  well-equipped  pack-train,  and  all  the  appli- 
ances, camp  equipage  and  field  equii)ment  necessary,  we  leisurely  moved 
up  the  Yellowstone  Valley.  The  party  consisted  of  ten  oflicei's,  four  civil- 
ians, five  ladies,  three  children,  including  my  family,  and  one  hundred 
soldiers. 

We  moved  up  the  Yellowstone  to  the  mouth  of  the  liosebud,  and  thence 
up  that  beautiful  valley  to  its  head,  practically  going  over  the  same  route 
that  had  been  followed  by  Custer's  command;  thence  over  the  high  divide 
to  the  Little  Big  Horn,  camping  near  the  ground  where  the  massacre  oc- 
curred, and  making  a  second  examination  of  this,  and  of  the  topography 
of  the  country  and  the  distance  between  the  dilTerent  forces  as  they  were 
on  that  day.  In  this  second  examination  we  were  also  accompanied  by 
some  of  ti.  prominent  actors  in  that  tragedy  on  the  side  of  the  hostile 
Indians. 

Moving  up  the  Yellowstone  was  a  continuous  delight.     The   country 
was    covered    with    rich    verdure    and    the    trees    were  in  full  foliage 
Game  was  abundant,  and  the  waters  of  the  upper  Yellowstone  were  filled 
with  delicious  trout.     The  ofiicers  rode  on  horseback,  and  the  ladies  and 
children,  occasionally  in  wagons,  but  more  frequently  in  the  saddle. 

After  ten  or  twelve  days  march,  as  we  neared  the  Yellowstone  Park,  I 
received  information  that  the  Bannocks,  who  had  gone  on  the  warpath  in 
Idaho,  were  committing  depredations,  and  were  coming  through  the  Yel- 
lowstone Park,  threatening  to  invade  our  own  territory.  Of  course  this 
meant  devastation  to  the  settlements  of  our  district  of  country  and  serious 
action  for  ourselves,  and  I  at  once  prepared  to  check  any  such  invasion. 

Sending  the  non-combatants  of  our  party  to  the  nearest  military  post, 
Fort  Ellis,  a  short  distance  from  where  Bozeman  now  stands  and  im- 
mediately adjoining  the  National  Park,  I  started  with  seventy-five  men  to 
make  a  forced  march  and  occupy  the  passes  of  the  mountains  through 
which  it  was  natural  to  suppose  the  Bannocks  would  attempt  to  go  on 
their  way  east.  It  had  been  their  hal)it  to  come  through  the  mountains 
during  the  summer  season  to  trade  with  the  Crow  Indians  or  to  hunt  buf- 
faloes. There  were  two  passes  through  which  they  could  travel,  one  of 
which  was  known  as  the  Boulder  Pass,  a  very  rough  and  difficult  trail,  and 
the  other  was  Clark's  Fork  Pass,  situated  a  distance  of  approximately  one 
hundred  and  fifteen  miles  from  our  starting  point.  In  order  to  anticipate 
every  possible  contingency,  it  became  necessary  for  me  to  divide  my  small 
force.     Believing  that  they  would  be   less  likely  to   come  out  through 


296 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


I '  '!! 


the  Boulder  than  through  Clark's  Fork  Pass,  I  sent  Lieutenant  Bailey  with 
forty  men  to  occupy  the  former  position,  while  with  the  remainder  of  the 
men  I  proceeded  to  make  a  forced  march  to  Clark's  Fork  Pass. 

J  had  already  sent  forward  scouts  to  the  Crow  agency,  urging  the  Crow 
Indians  to  join  us  in  the  expedition  against  the  Bannocks.  The  Crows  had 
always  been  loyal  to  the  government  and  friendly  to  the  whites,  but  as  at 
the  same  time  they  had  also  been  friendly  with  the  Bannock  Indians,  they 
hesitated  about  going  against  them.  The  importance  of  arresting  any 
hostile  body  of  Indians  liable  to  commit  depredations  on  other  reserva- 
tions and  neighboring  settlements  was  explained  to  them.  They  were  also 
offered  rations  and  ammunition  and  all  the  stock  that  they  could  capture 
from  the  Bannocks.  In  consideration  of  these  inducements,  they  agreed 
with  the  scout  that  I  had  sent  forward,  to  go  on  the  arrival  of  the  com- 
mand. When  we  did  arrive,  seeing  the  small  body  of  thirty-five  men 
march  past,  they  inquired  how  soon  the  command  would  arrive.  They 
were  assured  that  although  this  was  the  only  command  we  had,  it  was 
composed  entirely  of  experienced  Indian  fighters,  that  every  man  in  it 
was  a  "  medicine "  man,  and  that  we  needed  no  greater  force  than  tiiis 
against  the  Bannocks.  But  in  spite  of  all  we  could  say,  they  decided  that 
they  would  not  go  with  such  a  small  force,  and  we  told  them  to  remain 
where  they  were. 

The  command  moved  on,  and  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  two  strong  and 
hardy,  but  desperate -looking  Crow  warriors  rode  up  and  joined  us,  saying 
that  they  were  not  afraid  of  anything  (their  appearance,  words  and  actions 
seemed  to  confirm  their  professions),  and  that  they  were  going  with  the 
command.  Their  example  was  followed  by  others,  the  bravest  first  and 
the  most  prudent  and  timid  last,  until  we  had  been  joined  by  seventy-five 
Crow  warriors.  It  then  appeared  more  like  an  Indian  expedition  than  a 
march  of  white  soldiers. 

As  rapidly  as  possible  we  crossed  the  country,  taking  the  least  possible 
rest,  and  by  forced  marches  reached  the  vicinity  of  Clark's  Fork  Pass  just 
one  day  in  advance  of  the  Bannocks,  Discovering  that  up  to  that  time 
there  had  been  no  sign  of  their  presence  or  approach,  the  command  was 
concealed  in  a  pocket  in  the  mountains,  a  name  given  by  hunters  and  trap- 
pers to  a  very  small  park  surrounded  by  high  buttes  and  steep  cliffs.  The 
soldiers,  Indians,  horses,  pack-mules,  all  were  kept  concealed,  and  a  few 
scouts  only  were  sent  out  to  occupy  the  crests  of  the  high  buttes,  and  to 
use  their  field  glasses  or  telescopes  under  the  cover  of  some  cedar  or  pine 
bush,  to  discover  the  first  sign  of  the  approach  of  the  hostile  Indians. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


297 


Occasionally  an  officer  would  be  detailed  to  crawl  up  the  heights  and  examine 
the  country,  especially  Clark's  Fork  Pass,  with  his  glass.  But  he  was  in- 
structed never  to  reveal  as  much  as  the  top  of  his  head  over  the  crest 
unless  it  was  covered  by  some  bush  or  tall  grass. 

On  the  following  morning  about  eleven  o'clock  the  hostile  Bannocks 
were  seen  on  the  top  of  a  mountain,  slowly  winding  their  way  down  the 
circuitous  rocky  trail,  a  distance  of  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  us,  moving 
along  down  Clark's  Fork,  and  going  into  camp  in  the  valley  within  six  miles 
of  the  command.  They  unsaddled  and  turned  out  their  horses — quite  a  large 
herd — posted  their  videttes  or  lookouts  on  the  bluffs  immediately  adjacent 
to  the  camp,  built  their  camp  fires,  and  settled  down  apparently  conHdent 
of  their  safety,  and  utterly  unconscious  of  the  strong  command  concealed 
in  their  vicinity. 

To  approach  their  camp  it  would  be  necessary  to  pass  over  a  level  plain 
two  or  three  miles  in  extent,  and  the  lookouts  or  videttes  would  have 
discovered  the  command  the  moment  it  debouched  from  its  place 
of  concealment.  Having  once  discovered  us,  it  would  be  but  the  work 
of  a  moment  for  the  Indians  to  jumi)  upon  their  horses  and  escape  over 
the  foot-hills  and  rugged  passes  of  that  mountainous  region.  I,  therefore, 
decided  to  remain  in  our  place  of  concealment,  from  which  we  watched 
their  camp  all  that  day,  and  that  night  we  moved  slowly  down  to  within 
two  miles  of  it. 

At  nine  o'clock  that  evening  I  called  the  two  Indians  who  had  first  fol- 
lowed us  from  the  Crow  agency,  and  told  them  that  I  wanted  them  to 
crawl  up  and  discover  the  condition  of  the  Bannock  camp.  An  Indian 
wrapped  in  his  blanket  could  crawl  up  under  cover  of  the  darkness  and 
wa^k  near  a  hostile  Indian  camp  without  being  discovered,  whereas  a  white 
man  would  have  been  immediately  recognized.  This  was  especially  so  as 
the  night  was  dark  and  rainy,  and  the  Bannocks  were  curled  up  sheltering 
themselves  from  the  rain  and  cold,  and  if  the  Crow  scouts  had  been  seen, 
wrapped  as  they  were  in  their  blankets,  they  would  very  likely  have  been 
mistaken  for  members  of  the  Bannock  camp  walking  about  looking  out 
for  their  horses. 

The  Crow  scouts  returned  between  twelve  and  one  o'clock  and  reported 
that  the  Bannock  camp  was  in  a  very  strong  position,  difficult  to  approach, 
with  the  sage  brush  as  high  as  a  horse's  back  about  it,  and  that  if  we  at- 
tempted to  take  it  we  would  get  whipped.  The  rain  had  then  been  pour- 
ing down  in  torrents  for  several  hours  and  the  conditions  wereanvthingbut 
cheerful. 


298 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


1 :  1 


.  i; 


For  this  dangerous,  hazardous  and  valuable  service,  these  tw^o  men  were 
afterward  well  rewarded,  but  they  were  told  at  the  time  that  the  attack 
would  be  made  at  daybreak  and  the  Crows  were  expected  to  assist — at 
least  they  were  expected  to  capture  the  herd  of  horses — and  they  were 

then  directed  to  guide  us  to  the  hostile  camp. 
Slowly  and  noiselessly  the  command  moved 
in  the  direction  in  which  the  camp  was  sup- 
posed to  be,  stopping  to 
listen  in  the  dark,  and  occa- 
sionally making  long  waits 
for  some  ray  of  light  or 
;y  other  sign  to  direct 
them.  AVhen  we  had 
moved  to  a  distance  that 
we  believed  would  place 
us  very  near  the  camp, 
we  halted  and  waited 
until  about  four  o'clock, 
as  we  were  not  sure  of 
its  exact  location  or  di- 
rection. Fortunately  a 
dim  light  suddenly  ap- 
peared on  our  left,  about 
five  hundred  yards  dis- 
tant, indicating  the  exact  locality  of  tne  camp,  and  that  we  had  almost 
passed  it. 

The  troops  were  formed  in  skirmish  line  and  the  center  directed  to 
guide  on  this  light,  which  was  evidently  caused  by  some  one  just  starting 
a  fire  for  the  morning,  and  as  good  a  line  as  could  be  arranged  in  the  dark 
was  made.  The  Crows  were  told  to  take  position  on  the  right  of  the  line. 
The  troops  moved  slowly  and  cautiously  in  the  direction  of  the  light,  pass- 
ing through  the  grazing  herd  of  horses  and  ponies.  A  halt  was  occasion- 
ally made  in  order  to  wait  until  the  troops  could  see  a  short  distance,  and 
it  was  noticed  that  as  we  passed  through  the  herd,  the  Crow  warriors  began 
to  quietly  move  off  some  of  the  Bannock  horses,  and  instead  of  remaining 
on  the  right  of  the  troops  where  they  had  been  placed,  they  gradually 
worked  to  the  left,  and  as  they  did  so  drove  the  herd  to  the  rear.  As  day 
broke  the  troops  were  able  to  see,  and  moved  forward  until  they  got  within 
a  hundred  yards  of  the  camp  before  opening  fire. 


\^  'ii.=:-^v 


Indians  Watching  the  Enemy's  Camp. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


299 


men  were 
le  attack 

.ssist — at 
hey  were 
Ale  camp, 
id  moved 
was  sup- 
pping  to 
and  occa- 
mg  waits 
i  light  or 

0  direct 

1  we  had 
ance  that 
>uld  place 
he  camjj, 
d  waited 
ir  o'clock, 
>t  sure  of 
ion  or  di- 
Linately  a 
ienly  ap- 
eft,  about 
ards  dis- 
\  almost 

rected  to 

starting 

the  dark 

the  line. 

:ht,  pass- 

3Ccasion- 

bnce,  and 

)rs  began 

maining 

radually 

As  day 

)t  within 


The  Indians  were  taken  completely  by  surprise.  Some  of  them  jumped 
into  the  river  and  swam  to  the  other  side.  Eleven  of  the  warriors  were 
killed  and  the  remainder  surrendered.  The  tight  lasted  but  a  short  time 
and  was  ended  by  six  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

Before  the  affair  was  over  there  was  scarcely  a  Crow  Indian,  and  not  a 
single  Bannock  horse,  to  be  seen  in  the  valley.  While  the  Crows  had  been 
useful  on  account  of  their  formidable  numl)ers,the  principal  objectof  their 
attention  wds  the  herd  of  captured  horses.  Some  of  them  did  not  stop 
until  they  had  reached  the  agency,  a  distance  of  seventy-hve  miles,  where 
they  arrived  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Others  left  their  cap- 
tured stock  in  the  hands  of  their  friends  four  or  five  miles  back  in  the 
foot-hills,  and  returned  to  the  assistance  of  the  troops.  They  did  good 
service,  especially  in  calling  out  to  the  Bannocks  to  surrender,  and  also  in 
capturing  a  small  party  that  came  into  the  valley  later  and  were  evidently 
following  the  main  camp  with  a  band  of  stolen  horses  one  day  behind. 

I  had  sent  the  interpreter,  named  Rock,  on  in  advance  of  the  comir:     J 
from  the  Crow  agency  as  we  marched  out  to  go  up  to 
Clark's  Fork  to  see  what  he  could  find  out  about  the 
enemy.    He  could  speak  both  Crow  and  Bannock. 
When  he  had  gone  over  the  pass  and  into 
the  park,  he  met  the  Bannocks  m  the  other  < '  ' 

side  of  Clark's  Fork  Pass  coming  out.  After 
leaving  them  he  passed  on  as  if  journeying 
in  the  same  direction  from  whence  they  had 
come  until  he  had  gone  a  safe  distance  away, 
and  then  circled  around,  returned,  and  re- 
ported to  me  the  night  before  the  attack. 
He  was  a  good  man,  and,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 
was  killed  in  the  fight. 

The  affair  was  a  very  disastrous  one  to  the 
Indians,  eleven  of  their  number  being  killed 
and  many  wounded,  while  their  entire  camp 
was  captured  with  two  hundred  and  fifty 
horses. 

Our  loss  was  small  in  number,  but  among 
the  killed  was  Captain  Andrew  S.  Bennett  of  the  Fifth  Infantry,  a  most 
accomplished,  meritorious  and  valuable  officer.  It  was  a  sad  sight  as  his 
friends  gazed  upon  his  dead  body  which  Surgeon  Redd  had  placed  against 
a  tree,  with  the  shoulders  bare,  in  order  to  examine  the  wound.   The  bullet 


Captain  BrxxETT. 


'^•i-l    : 


300 


PEHSONAI    RECOLLECTIONS  OB' 


hole  was  Id  the  center  of  his  breast,  and  had  evidently  caused  rnstant 
death.  It  seemed  hard  and  strange  that  this  good  soldier,  who  had  risked 
his  life  on  many  a  hard-fought  battleheld,  both  during  the  war  and  on  the 
frontier,  must  meet  his  death  at  last  in  that  wild  and  rugged  region  amid 
the  eternal  silence  of  these  snow-capped  mountains.  His  body  was  ten- 
derly cared  for  and  sent  to  his  relatives  in  Wisconsin. 

The  command  remained  l)eside  the  rapid,  clear,  trout  stream  that  came 
down  from  the  mountains,  during  that  day,  and  in  the  evening  witnessed 
the  burial  of  one  of  the  Crow  warriors  who  had  been  killed  in  the  fight 
and  had  been  a  very  popular  man  in  the  tribe.  After  his  body  had  been 
arranged  for  its  final  rest  and  bedecked  wdth  all  the  valuables  that  he 
had  possessed,  as  well  as  some  belonging  to  his  friends,  and  his  final 
resting  place  had  been  prepared  on  a  high  butte  standing  alone  in  the 
valley  near  the  camp,  his  body  was  lifted  on  the  shoulders  of  four  of  his 
comrades,  who  slowly  moved  up  the  side  of  the  butte  chanting  their 
sorrow  in  low,  mournful  tones,  while  the  other  Indians  bewailed  his 
loss  according, to  the  custom  of  their  people. 

Sending  back  the  captive  Bannocks  by  a  command  under  Lieutenant 


from  Fort  Custer,  Mon- 
ments  necessary  for 
my  journey  tow^ard  the 


Colonel  Buell,  that  had  moved  up 
tana,   and  making  all   arrange- 
our  dead  and  wounded,  1  renewed 
Yellowstone  upon  an  en- 
tirely different  route  from 
that  which  I  had  formerly 
planned.     I  sent  couriers 
to  Lieutenant  Bailey's 
command,  and  also  to  the 
detachment  with  our 
wagon-train  at  Fort  Ellis, 
directing  them  to   move 
on  to  the  Mammoth  Hot 
Springs  in   the  Nfitional  A 
Park,  and  there  await  my 
arrival. 

I  then  took  up  my  line 
of  march,  following  the  back  trail  of  the  Bannocks  over  a  high  mountain 
pass  most  difficult  of  ascent,  yet  with  surrounding  scenery  far  more  ma- 
jestic and  grand  than  that  of  the  ordinary  trail  up  the  Yellowstone  Canon 
which  is  now  the  principal  route  of  travel.    We  followed  the  circuitous 


The  ^lorNTAiN  Biffai-o. 


I 


GKNEHAL  NKLSON  A.  MIf.ES. 


301 


/ 


trail  by  which  the  Bannocks  had  moved  out,  which  was  also  the  same  one 
that  Looking   (ilass  and    Chief 


Joseph  had  followed  with  the 
tribe  of  Nez  Perces  the  year  l)e- 
fore.    It  was  familiar  to  a  few  of 


the  Indians,  but  originally  had 
been  nothing  more  than  a  large 
trail  made  by  the  deer,  elk  and 
mountain  buffalo  in  going  into 
and  out  of  the  park.  This  latter 
animal  is  found  in  various  por- 
tions of  the  Rocky  ^lountains, 
especially  in  the  region  of  the 
parks.  It  has  been,  and  more 
properly,  called  the  ''American 
bison."  The  animal  bears  about 
the  same  relation  to  bis  relative, 
the  plains  buffalo,  as  the  sturdy 
mountain  pony  does  to  the  well- 
built  American  horse.  His  body 
is  lighter,  though  his  legs  are 
shorter  and  much  thicker  and 
stronger  than  those  of  the  plains 
animal ;  this  structure  enabling 
him  to  perform  feats  of  climbing 
which  would  seem  alaiost  impos- 
sible to  such  a  huge  and  appar- 
ently unwieldy  beast.  They  also 
differ  from  the  plains  species  in 
being  excessively  shy,  inhabiting 
the  darkest,  deepest  defiles,  and 
high,  craggy,  almost  precipitous 
sides  of  the  mountains,  inaccess- 
ible to  any  but  the  most  prac- 
ticed mountaineers. 

We  ascended  the  high  divide, 
going  close  under  Pilot  and  In- 
dex  Peaks,    which  are  covered  Ykiiow, stone  Fali.s. 
with  perpetual  snow,  and  then  descended  to  the  headwaters  of  what  is 


Hi 
1  i 


302 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


known  as  Soda  Butte  Creek,  which  enters  into  the  Yellowstone  in  the 
National  Park  near  the  Mammoth  Hot  Springs. 

The  scenery  along  this  route  was  grand  in  the  highest  degree.  Passing 
through  cedar  and  pine  forests,  occasionally  coming  to  an  opening  or  a 
small,  beautiful,  natural  park  with  little  lakes  of  crystal  water;  passing  cold 
springs  fed  from  the  perpetual  snow  on  the  mountains,  thence  along  up  be- 
side the  rapid  mountain  torrents  and  beautiful  cascades  and  waterfalls,  we 
gradually  descended  to  what  is  the  park  proper  or  great  basin.  In  fact  the 
Yellowstone  Park  is  merely  a  great  basin  of  the  Rocky  mountains,  sixty 
miles  square,  and  containing  groups  of  natural  wonders. 

In  six  days  we  had  passed  over  the  high  divide.    One  day's  march  was 


"Old  FAiTHFri, "  Geyser  in  Winter,  Yellowstone  Park. 

made  on  the  snow,  although  it  was  then  only  September,  and  then  we  de- 
scended to  the  valley  of  the  Yellowstone  Park,  joining  the  rest  of  the 
party  and  command  near  what  is  known  as  Barrett's  Bridge,  twelve  miles 
above  the  Mammoth  Hot  Springs,  and  where  of  necessity  our  wagons  were 
parked  to  remain.  Hereafter  for  twelve  days  we  moved  with  only  saddle- 
horses  and  pack-mules. 

During  these  twelve  daj'^s  we  visited  all  the  natural  features  of  this 
wonderland.  On  the  second  day  we  ascended  Mount  Washburn,  which 
stands  near  the  center  of  the  National  Park.  From  the  top  of  this  moun- 
tain there  is  a  splendid  view  of  the  great  panorama  of  natural  wonders. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


303 


You  see  encircling  this  enormous  basin  a  great  range  of  snow-capped 
mountains,  two  hundred  miles  in  extent,  with  some  of  its  highest  peaks 
ten  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  Yonder,  far  in  the 
distance  to  the  southwest,  is  the  great  Yellowstone  Lake,  twenty-six  miles 
in  extent,  and  believed  to  be  the  largest  body  of  water  of  its  altitude  on 
the  face  of  the  globe.  To  the  right,  but  far  away,  you  occasionally  seethe 
geysers  in  action,  but  need  to  be  in  closer  proximity  to  appreciate  their 
grandeur  and  beauty. 

From  the  lake  you  see  the  Yellowstone  River  winding  its  way  along 
through  forest  and  park  to  the  great  Yellowstone  Falls,  where  it 
plunges  to  thecaiion  below,  not  so  large  a  volume  of  water  as,  but  nearly  two 
hundred  feet  higher  than,  the  Falls  of  Niagara.  From  there  it  has  cut  its 
course  down  through  the  Great  Canon 
of  the  Yellowstone  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles,  past  the  Mammoth 
Springs,  until  it  finally  disappears 
through  the  main  entrance  to  the 
park. 

As  you  descend  Mount  Washburn 
and  go  on  past  these  falls  of  the 
Yellowstone,  thence  across  the  course 
of  the  Yellowstone  Kiver  and  Yel- 
lowstone Lake,  and  then  on  to  the 
geyser  basin,  you  have  an  opportunity 
to  get  a  better  view  of  these  especial 
wonders.  It  was  the  opinion  of  the 
best  judges  in  our  party,  and  has 
been  the  opinion  of  many  who  have 
visited  the  geysers  in  different  parts 
of  the  world,  that  all  others  are  in- 
significant compared  with  those  in 
the  Yellowstone  Park. 

The  character  and  variety  of  these 
geysers  is  most  remarkable.  For 
instance  Old  Faithful,  as  it  is  called, 
is  in  action  with  as  much  regularity 
as  a  chronometer  once  every  fifty-eight  minutes  or,  as  it  is  called  **  once 
an  hour."  This  geyser,  when  not  in  action,  appears  like  a  deep 
pool  of  clear   boiling  water  about   four   feet   in    diameter,  and  almost 


"Bee  Hive"  Crystallized  Geyser, 
Yellowstone  Park. 


I 


i\i. 


I 


^1 


t 


I 


804 


PEHSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


circular.  As  the  acticn  commences  there  will  be  a  burst  of  water  boiling 
up  in  the  center,  followed  by  another  similar  action  throwing  the  water 
a  few  feet  higher,  and  then  another  and  another,  each  time  reaching  a 
greater  elevation,  soon  rising  to  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  and  then  con- 
tinuing gradually  to  rise  until  it  bursts  forth  with  terrific  power,  standing 
a  solid  body  of  boiling  water  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height,  and 
continuing  in  this  volume  and  force  for  twelve  or  fifteen  minutes.  Then 
gradually  itdies  down  until  it  lesumes  its  former  condition  of  absolute  calm. 


"Giant"  Geyser,  Yellowstone  Park. 

The  other  geysers  are  each  of  a  different  character.  For  example,  the 
Bee  Hive  is  a  large,  solid  body  of  carbonate  of  lime  and  geyserite  that 
has  been  thrown  out  and  become  crystallized  in  the  form  of  a  beehive. 
Another  of  a  beautiful,  ragged  form  is  named  the  Grotto,  and  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  of  all,  and  the  Castle  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful. 

Some  are  in  action  every  twenty-four  hours  with  reasonable  regularity; 
others  once  only  in  six  or  seven  days.  There  are  still  others  that  are  as 
yet  undefined  as  to  their  action.    A^  the  time  we  were  there,  there  Lad 


r.KNKUAI-  NKI.SON  A.  MII.ES. 


305 


boiling 
le  water 
ching  a 
en  con- 
tanding 
^ht,  and 
.  Then 
te  calm. 


)le,  the 
;e  that 
eehive. 
one  of 
Eiutiful. 
ilarity; 
are  as 
re  had 


been  no  precise  record  made  to  determine  whether  they  were  in  action 
once  a  year  or  whetherthey  had  any  system  of  regular  action.  The  (Jiant 
geyser  and  theiJiante.ss  are  not  far  apart,  and  the  former  appears  to  be  the 
grandest  of  all.  throwing  a  volume  of  water  two  hundred  feet  in  height. 

These  groups  of  g(»ysers  and  boiling  springs  of  enormous  nmgnitude 
are  close  by  other  springs  where  the  water  is  as  cold  as  ice.  The  '"paint," 
'*  mud,"  and  "  ink  "  geysers  are  seen  in  close  proximity.  These  geysers,  with 
the  falls,  cailon  and  snow-capped  mountains,  form  a  group  of  wonders  that, 
taken  altogether,  excel  in  beauty  and  grandeur  anything  else  of  the  kind 
on  this  continent,  and  perhaps  in  any  part  of  the  world,  though  entirely 
different  from  the  glacier  regions  of  Alaska,  the  (Jrand  Canon  of  the  Colo- 
rado or  the  Yosemite,  to  all  of  which  I  shall  have  occasion  to  refer  later. 

That  journey  was  one  of  continuous  interest,  amusement  and  delight; 
and  we  were  fortunate  in  seeing  it  just  as  the  hand  of  nature's  architect 
left  it,  unmarred  by  the  hand  of  man.  for  though  it  is  impossible  for  him 
to  improve  it,  he  might  easily  injure  its  beauty  and  sublimity.  The  smoke 
of  the  cabin  or  the  palace,  the  rush  of  the  locomotive,  or  the  rumble  of 
the  stagecoach  could  not  fail  to  mar  the  lofty  grandeur  and  the  silent 
grace  and  beauty  of  one  of  the  most  fascinating  natural  scenes  on  earth. 

Our  marches  were  usually  made  in  the  forenoons,  while  the  afternoons 
were  devoted  to  enjoying  the  wonders  and  places  of  interest.  In  the  even- 
ings we  gathered  around  our  large  camp  tires  to  enjoy  the  harvest  moon 
and  listen  to  the  vocal  and  instrumental  music  which  alone  broke  the 
silence  of  the  Septeml)er  nights.  The  rivers  of  the  valley  were  alive  with 
speckled  trout,  the  lakes  were  dotted  with  beautiful  Avater  fowls,  and  in  the 
park  was  found  an  abundance  of  mountain  grouse  and  pheasants,  together  with 
deer  and  other  large  game,  but  for  the  time  being  we  suspended  hunting. 

After  enjoying  the  beauties  of  nature  for  twelve  days  we  returned  to 
the  Mammoth  Hot  Springs,  where  we  found  our  wagons  parked  and  in  good 
condition  for  our  return  journey.  We  then  resumed  our  homeward  march 
down  the  Yellowstone  by  easy  stages,  selecting  beautiful  camps  and 
enjoying  the  journey  exceedingly,  though  it  was  not  as  eventful  as  when 
we  were  moving  out,  and  we  finally  returned  to  Fort  Keogh  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Tongue  River  after  an  absence  of  two  months. 

Visiting  the  park  again  fourteen  years  later  1  found  a  railroad,  hotels, 
stagecoaches  and  other  evidences  of  civilization,  Init  less  of  the  ideal 
picture  of  nature,  and  what  was  remarkable,  I  met  more  foreign  than 
American  tourists.  The  former  appeared  to  appreciate  and  enjoy  it  in  the 
highest  degree. 

M— 18 


mi 


rKKSONAh  HKCIJI-LKCTIONS  OK 


II 


I 


ir  -f 


CIIAI'TKW    XXIV. 

SlTTlN(J    \U\A.. 
HimCami'  in  Canada  —  (Jampakin  ok  I.iimtknant  ('i.\hk  —  Tiik  Hki>  lliviou  [Iai.k-Mkkkdh  —  Cam- 

I'AKiN  OK  CaI'TAIN    lll(i(ilNH  —  Si'i:  A  I.I  N(  J    \H   A    FlNK    A  liT — ClSTuMH    IN     Iv  KMI'IU  T    Tn    SllMI.INd 

Kxi'KI»ITInNS —  llnW  Till:  TllKKT   IS   At'Ci  IM  I'l.'SII  Kl< — N  UIKH  oK   I'l.ACKM  ANI»   WllV    TllKY 

WkHK    (ilVKN  —  TlIK    •' (':ir\TIN(i     ( 'i  M  (H  "  —  Kx  I'l.nlT    dK    SlMKiKANT    (il.uVKK—  A 

CiiNi'iMiKNci:  WITH    Till-:   Inhuns  —  Tin-;  '!'i:i,i;(iu  vni  am>  Ti:i,i:i'I1iim:  as  Ak- 
<ii  MKNi'M  —  TiiK  Sikki;ni>i:u  uk  tiii:  ('iiii:rs  —  Tiik  Utk  Oitiikimk. 

UK  wiiitfM'  of  1S7S  7t)  was  imcvoiitt'iil.  suul  tlie  ^'urrisoii  <mi- 
joyod  tlio  usual  winter  festivities  such  as  hunting',  sieij^liinj; 
and  skatiu}^  on  the  erystal  ice  of  the  Yelh)Wstone  and  Ton^nu* 
liivers.  Durinj^  the  two  years  of  coini)arative  peace  the 
country  liad  been  rapidly  settled,  claims  hein^  taken  up. 
y^*  iionies  nuide.  ranches  stocked,  and  towns  and  villajj;es.  with 
the  appliances  of  civilized  communities,  laid  out  and  occupied. 
Yet  the  country  was  not  entirely  safe  from  tlie  incursions 
of  raiding  and  stealing'  parties  cominj^  from  Sittin;^  liull's  camp,  north  of 
the  Canadian  boundary. 

Sitting'  Hull  hatl  refused  all  overtures  nuide  to  him  by  the  peace  com- 
missioners to  come  in  and  surrender,  althou^di  (ieueral  Terry,  conumindinji 
the  dei)artment.  t(>^'cther  with  the  commander  of  the  ('anat'*'>M  forces,  had 
met  him  with  friendly  overtures.  Many  disalTected  Indians  from  ditter- 
erent  a^'encies  had  ^M'adually  stolen  away  and  joined  his  (amp  across  the 
Canadian  boundary,  where  there  was  an  abundance  of  bulTaloes  and  where 
they  could  live  on  the  proceeds  of  the  chase.  From  a  snuill  ca^np  of  a 
tmv  hundred  lod^^es.  his  following'  had  increased  to  something  like  two  thou- 
sand Indians.  Yet  nearly  (n'ery  rai(lin<f  party  that  was  sent  out  from 
this  cami*  to  steal  horses  beloii}j:in^  to  the  friendly  Crow  Indians  or 
the  white  settlements,  was  met  by  the  troops,  and  either  captured  oi- 
pursued  back  to  the  northern  line.  Whenever  his  camp  moved  across 
the  line  for  the  j)urpose  of  hunting'  or  tradin<;,  it  was  immediately  pur- 
sued by  troops  and  foi'ced  back  a|;ain  to  foi'ei*;n  territory. 

This  was  especially  the  case  in  the  summer  of  1S7U.  when  his  camp 
was    reported    to    be  south    of  the    boundary.      A  comnumd    from  the 


4 


KOH  — ("am- 

vri;  WASH 

TllKY 

-A 


riSOn     (Ml- 

sUM^'hiiij,' 
i  ToiiL'ue 


leace 


the 


liken    up. 
ith 


jres.   w 
cciipie* 


incursions 


nor 


th  of 


ejice  com- 


nnui 


oires. 


ntlinji 
had 


DUi  tliffer- 
the 


icross 


ti 


ul  where 
f  a 


o 


amp 
two  thou- 
out  tron\ 
Indians  or 
jptnred  or 
ed  across 
ately  pur- 

his  camp 
from  the 


-m 


ilt 


m 


1' 


'(•'I   ' 


m 


if !  f 


I 


(JKNKKAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


309 


Yellowstone  moved  north,  erossinj;  the  Missouri  at  Fort  Peok,  and  after 
crossin*;  Milk  River  encountered  the  eneniv  in  a  sharp  enfj:aj,'enient  on 
July  17. 

The  affair  was  oi)ened  by  the  advance  j^Muird  of  two  companies  of 
Indian  scouts  under  Lieutenant  VV.  1'.  Clark  of  the  Second  Cavalry.  He 
attacked  a  hand  of  wan-iors  near  Frenchnum's  Creek,  and  after  a  sharp 
H^ht  drove  them  for  twelve  miles  and  into  the  main  body,  which  had  come 
upon  the  <^round  and  had  surrounded  the  advance  ^uard.  The  main  connnand 
consisting  of  seven  companies  of  the  Fifth  Infantry,  mounted  on  pomes 
cai)tured  in  an  earlier  expedition,  as  has  been  described,  and  seven  troops 
of  the  Second  Cavalry,  immediately  advanced  to  the  support  of  the 
advance  guard  under  Clark,  deploying  across  the  rolling  prairie  at  a  gallop, 
and  nuiking  a  rapid  charge  against  the  hostile  Sioux  under  Sitting  Bull. 
The  artillery  under  Lieutenant  Uice  galloped  up  into  position,  throwing 
shell  into  the  enemy's  ranks,  and  the  Sioux  warriors  nuide  a  precipitate 
retreat  and,  abandoning  their  property,  tied  north  until  they  reached  the 
forty-ninth  parallel,  which  provided  the  only  safe  harrier  that  they  had 
found  during  the  last  three  years  against  the  soldiers. 

It  ''ecanie  evident  that  this  condition  of  afl'airs  could  not  continue. 
The  location  of  such  a  large  can)p  of  hostile  Sioux  near  tl.e  border  was  a 
menace  to  the  peace  and  welfare  of  the  citizens  of  the  I'nited  States  in 
that  vicinity.  Full  rei»orts  were  iiiade  of  the  condition  of  affairs  to  the 
higher  authorities,  and  recommendations  ottered  that  the  matter  be 
brougiit  to  the  attention  of  the  State  (lei)artuient.  and  a  dennmd  made 
upon  the  Canadian  authorities  or  tiie  Mrirish  government  that  this  large 
body  of  hostiles  be  inteined  and  removed  so  fai'  into  the  interior  as  to. 
be  no  longer  a  thi-eatening  element  to  the  ])eople  of  our  territory. 

Our  command  remained  for  a  siiort  time  south  of  the  bouiulary  line. 
There  were  living  in  tiuit  counti-y  a  l»ody  of  people  known  as  "  l\'ed  h'iver 
half-breeds."  half  French  and  half  Indian.  They  \\(>re  practically  Hritish 
subjects,  living  most  of  the  time  on  Canadian  t(MTitory.  Th(\v  were  a 
very  singula)'  i)eople  in  tluMr  mode  of  living.  1'hey  had  Iarg«*  liodies  of 
strong,  hardy,  but  small  horses.  They  lived  in  tei'.ts.  ami  theii'  princii)al 
mode  of  traus])ortatioii  was  by  what  was  known  a.  the  "lied  Ikiver  cart." 
A  man  with  a  knife  and  an  ax(>  could  construct  a  cart  and  a  harness,  as 
there  was  not  a  particle  of  iron  us(mI  in  either,  i^iwhide  was  occasiomilly 
u.sed  for  binding  tluMu  tog(>tlHM'  and  sonu'tinu^s  in  the  jilace  of  tires.  The 
harness  was  entirely  of  I'awhide.  With  this  means  of  transportation  they 
could  carry  from  a  thousand  to  Hfteen  hundred  i)oun{'s  over  the   prairies 


:i10 


PP:1IS()XAL  liKCOLLECTIOXS  OF 


!  '   I 


.  i 


n 


and  when  not  heavily  loaded  the  horses  could,  with  these  carts,  swim  any 
river,  the  carts  having  so  much  dry  wood  about  them  that  they  were  very 
buoyant. 

This  people  had  been  a  disturbing  element  for  some  time,  not  only  to 
our  people,  l)ut  to  the  Canadian  authorities  as  well,  and  the  repulse  of  their 
leader,   Kiel,  marks  an    imi)ortant  event  in  the  history  of 
that  territory.     They  were  in  close  communication  with  the 
hostile  Sioux  under  Sitting  Bull,  and  it  was  reported  to  me 
that  they  were  supplying  those   Indians  with  ammunition. 
I, therefore,  determined  to  break  up  the  traffic,  and  to 
that  end  sent  out  ))odies  of  troops,  surrounded  their 
camps,  and  gathered  them  together  on  one   field  to 
the  numl)er  of  over  a  thousand  people,  together  with 
their  eight   hundred  carts,   herds   of  horses,  tents 
and  other  property  before  mentioned     These  v.ere 
all  >ent  out  of  the  country  after  being  kept  for 
some  time,  thus  breaking  up  ojie  of  the  means  of 
supply  to  the  camp  of  Sitting  Hull. 

The  command  then  returned  to  the  valley  of 
the  Yellowstone  and  remained  there  during  that 
summer,   fall  and  winter,   and  the  small   raiding 
expeditions  which  went  south  from  Sitting  Bull's 
camp  were  nearly  or  quite  all  captured.     The  sur- 
render of  one   party  of  their  people   was  followed 
l)y  another,  until  the  camp  of  the  hostile  chief  grad- 
ually melted  away. 
'  Captain  Huggins.  of  the  Second  Cavalry, 

was  very  useful  and  enterprising  in  this  work. 
He  had  in  early  life,  wdiile  living  in  Minne- 
sota Territory,  acquired  a  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  the  Dakota  language.  Owing  to  his 
qualifications  he  was  frequently  sent  north 
in  command  of  a  body  of  troops  to  bring  in  bands  of  the  hostile  Indians, 
and  being  al)le  to  speak  their  own  language  readily  with  them,  he  im- 
pressed them  favorably  and  accomplished  excellent  work. 

On  March  24.  ISSO.  T  learned  that  a  party  of  Sioux  had  raided  the  Fort 
Custer  military  reservation,  and  had  driven  away  the  pony  herd  of  the 
Crow  scouts  at  that  post,  and  that  troops  had  Ijeen  sent  fron)  Fort  Custer 
in  pursuit.     I  directed  Captain  Huggins  with  his  troops  and  some  Cheyenne 


C'K'iw  Foot,  Sox  ok  Sittinc;  Bii.i,, 


•  :'! 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


311 


n  any 
3  very 

ily  to 

■  their 
jry  of 
ththe 
to  me 
lition. 
md  to 
their 
eld  to 
r  with 
,  tents 
e  v.ere 
)\)t  for 
3ans  of 

illey  of 
i^  that 
raiding 
:  Bull's 
le  sur- 
Uowod 
f  ijrad- 

avalry. 
s  work. 
Minne- 
knowl- 
y  to  his 
north 
ndians. 
he  ini- 

he  Fort 
of  the 
Custer 

leyenue 


trailers  to  move  rapidly,  and  if  possible  intercept  the  raiders  or  join  in  the 
chase.  Captain  Hug»,nns  left  Fort  Keogh  at  daybreak  on  the  25th,  and 
found  the  trail  next  day  at  a  point  about  seventy-hve  miles  from  Fort 
Keot^li,  and  about  thirty  miles  from  the  ri^ht  or  south  bank  of  the  Yellow- 
stone. The  trail  was  four  days  old,  very  dim,  and  seemed  likeiy  to  be  soon 
entirely  obliterated  by  frequent  storms  of  rain  and  snow.  However,  it 
was  followed,  though  freciuently  lost  and  with  difficulty  regained  by  the 
expert  trailers.  It  led  by  a  circuitous  route  through  Bad  Lands  and 
very  difficult  ground  across  the  Rosebud.  Tongue,  and  Powder  Bivers.  tiie 
Sioux  apparently  heading  for  a  ford  of  the  Yellowstone  near  the  mouth  of 
O'Fallon  Creek  or  Powder  River.  Pursuit  was  vigorously  kept  up  every 
da;;  irom  dawn  ujitil  it  was  too  dark  to  see  the  trail,  when  the  pursuers 
bivouacked  besiue  some  pool  of  snow  >,ater.  The  troop  horses,  almost 
entirely  dependent  upon  grazing,  were  worked  nearly  to  the  limit  of  their 
endurance,  and  some  of  them  had  to  be  abandoned.  For  four  days  at  least, 
an  average  of  more  than  Hfty  miles  per  day  was  made,  much  of  the  ground 
passed  over  being  very  difficult. 

On  the  evening  of  April  1.  the  Sioux  were  overtaken  on  the  head  of 
O'Fallon  Creek,  and  were  surprised  and  separated  from  their  ponies.  A 
sharp  skirmish  followed ;  one  sergeant  being  shot  through  the  head  and 
killed,  one  Indian  wounded  and  five  taken  prisoners.  The  remaining 
Indians  occupied  a  position  of  great  natural  strength,  from  which  they 
escaped  on  foot  in  the  darkness  of  that  night.  The  captured  Sioux  proved 
to  be  from  the  camp  of  Sitting  Bull,  near  the  Dominion  line.  All  the  ponies 
that  had  been  stolen  from  Fort  Custer,  about  fifty,  were  recovered.  In 
this  expedition  Captain  Huggins  made  a  complete  circuit  of  Fort  Keogh, 
first  going  up  the  Yellowstone  about  fifty  miles,  and  striking  the  same 
stream  about  fifty  miles  below^  the  post  on  his  return. 

During  the  last  thirty-six  hours  of  the  pursuit,  the  command  lived  upon 
coffee,  hard  bread  and  a  little  meat  from  buffaloes,  whicli  i  ad  been  killed 
by  the  fleeing  Indians,  and  from  \vhich  the  choice  portions  had  been  re^ 
moved.  Many  buffaloes  were  seen,  but  orders  were  given  not  to  chase  them, 
for  fear  of  giving  the  alarm  to  the  Sioux,  whose  distance  in  advance  was 
not  known. 

Horse  stealing  is  considered  a  fine  art  by  the  Indians.  It  is  a  remark- 
able thing  that  they  rarely  steal  from  others  of  their  own  tribe.  They 
have  the  utmost  confidence  in  them  and  are  governed  in  that  respect  by  a 
sense  of  honor  that  amounts  to  a  rigid  rule  in  their  unwritten  law.  For 
instance,  the  entrances  to  their  lodges  are  never  fastened,  and  they  have 


312 


PERSONAI.  I{K(X)LLKCTI()NS  OF 


fl'    I 


no  iiH^Jins  of  soniriii}^  tlici?*  valuables  l»y  lock  or  Itolt.  Hut  for  one  Indian 
loonier  the  l(»<l;^n^  of  another  williont  Ix'in^'  bidden  or  vveleonied  would  \){\ 
r<^}^arded  as  a  liij;lily  dishonorable  act.  and  for  one  to  tal\(^  thai  which 
belon^^s  to  anotlmr  of  tlm  same  tiibe  would  b(f  look(!d  on  as  acrinuMJesjirv- 
i.i^  of  death.  Should  any  Indian  ulienalc;  the  alTe(;tions  of  the  wife  of 
another  Indian  or  steal  his  horse,  his  blaid\et oi'anythin^' tlijit  belonj^M'd  to 
him,  thc^  one  so  injured  would  b(^  justilied  in  taking,'  hisrilh^  and  killing  the 
olTen<lei'.  The  whole  camp  would  sanction  such  an  act  on  tin!  ground  that 
it  was  bad  blooci  that  lia(i  Ixu'ii  shed,  and  that  it  was  well  to  exterminate 
it,  aiid  Uw  \\\o,  cain|)  from  contamination.  In  that  way.  also,  the  expense 
and  delay  of  police  courts,  and  tlu^  employment  of  a,ttorneys-at-law  are 
all  avoided. 

Su<'li  a  rule  bein^  made  and  ri^ndly  adhered  to.  an  Indian  would  have 
no  hesitaticMi  in  layinj^^  down  his  rille,  his  clothinj^'.  his  Inu'sc^  (Mpiip- 
meiits.  or  anyt liiu;^  belon^in^  to  him,  on  the  praiiie  oi-  about  the  camp, 
with  the  utmost  conlidencc^  of  rciui'nin^-  to  the  pla<'<'  a^^ain  and  lindinji;  it 
unmolested.  I'<»r  instance,  at  a  liors<'  race  two  Indians  would  bet  their 
blankf^ts  on  the  I'esult  of  a  rac^s  lold  them  up.  lay  them  down  on  tlu^ 
prairie  and  place  a,  stoiu;  u[U)\\  them.  After  the  race;  was  ov(U'  tlu!  wiiin<'r 
would  come  back  to  the  spot  and  find  them  undisturbed,  thou^^di  pei'ha|>s 
in  tlw^  meantime  thc^  whoh^  <'anipmij^lit  have  passed  ovc^r  or  n<'ar  them. 
It  would  har<lly  do  foi  any  two  j.i'entlenKMi  to  leavf^  their  pntperty  un- 
^^uanh'd  in  this  fashion  at  .Monmouth  oi-  Khu^t wood. or  even  at  a  political 
convention  or  a  lirst-cla,ss  I'et'oi'in  bancpu't. 

Vet  Vklien  it  comes  to  a  hostile  expetlition  a^^ainst  an  hereditai\y  (Miemy, 
even  if  the  saine  race,  it  becomes  (piitc  adilf'M'ent  matter.  It  is  then  that 
stealiii}^  becomes  a  line  art.  The  expedition  is  planiu'd  by  a,  few  youn^ 
men.  Some  enteipiisin;^'  and  exp(  rienced  warrior  (piietly  talks  it  uj)  with 
one  or  two  of  his  most  iidima,t(^  friends,  and  the;y  in  their  turn  let  one  or 
two  nioie  into  the  secret,  until  possibly  the  party  numbf»rs  live  or  six  you nj^ 
men.  Accordinj^  to  a  pre-concerted  ariiin}.,'ement.  each  (piietly  steals  out  of 
the  camp  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  taking"  oidy  his  ritl<\  some  li^dit 
clot llinJ,^  not  more  than  on(^  blanket  or  lij^dit  r(>be,  ain'  one  or  two  lariats 
tlii'ow  n  over  his  shouhh'r  or  fastened  about  his  waist. 

If  it  is  in  midsummer  ev(M'ythin^'  worn  will  be  of  a,  j^n'een  color;  blaid<et. 
I(^<.r^iiis,  moccasins,  e\'en  tlu^  ixm'soiTs  face  and  hands  l)ein;^  painted  ^reen. 
If  hoises  ar<'  used  they  usiuilly  select  what  is  known  as  dun-colored  or 
roan,  and  somc^times  paint  tlu^  aninuil  entirely  ;i:reen.  or  the  color  of  the 
sa^^e  brush  or  dead  j^^rass.     If  it  is  a  winter  exix^dit ion  they  generally  clioose 


(.KNKIJAL  NKI-SON   A.   MII-KS. 


:n:{ 


liorsrs  iis  uliitc  iis  \\h*  driven  snow.  I  li.ivc  seen  p.ii'tics  start  ont  in  win- 
ter when  cvci-ytliin^' alxmt  tiieni  would  lie  white.  Let  them  he  live  Inin- 
dred  yards  away  a^'ainst  a  hill  or  plain  covered  with  snow  and  yon  wonid 
not  notice  them  it  they  stood  still;  at  a  tlionsan<l  >ar<ls  yon  wonhl  not  he 
lil\(dy  to  notice  them  escn  it  they  were  niovin;^'. 

It  is,  liowesci".  (MMisidered  more  skilltnl  and  hei'oic  to  move  \»ithont 
hoi'ses.  and  in  sn<di  expeditions  it  is  wonch'rfnl  how  adroit  the  Indians  ai'e 
in  nM)vin^  thron^di  theconntry  wit  hold  hein^' discovered.  Kromthe  loftiest 
pointsthey  scan  the  conntr\  in  ad\an<'e  ot"  tlunn  thor()n;^hly.  and  ci'eep 
alon^'   from  one   »'a\ine  toaiMjthei"  nndei- cover 

of  rid;^'(\s  and  hi  nil's  and  approacdi  the  enemy  as 


>". 


Isnr.w    l;  \ri)is(;    l'\i;i  v. 


steailhily  as  wolves, 
they    nsnally   seilect    a 
tinier  when  the  snow  is  dr.\  and  drift- 
ing; and   the  stron<^e»'  tin!  wind    and 
the  <li'iej'  t  Im^  snow  t  he  hettei*  foi'  tlieii' 
pnr|)ose,  as  they  then  leaver    no  moi'e 
trail    l)e!iin<l    them    than  a    hird    in    the   air.      'I'heir   tra,(d\S    \u'(\    (piickly 
<'ovei'(Ml  with  drifting  snow  and   in  that   way  their  mov(mients  ar(^  easily 
conc,(^aled. 

In  drawing'  Jieai'  the  conidry  (»ccn|»ie<l  hythe  enemy,  a,  war  party  of 
Sionx,  for  instance,  a|»pi'oachin}^'  a,  Crow  camp,  they  exercise  <;r(SLt  cantion. 
They  may  lie  n|Mm  the  crest  of  a  nnnintain  for  days,  watcdiin;^'  for  some 
si;^n  (d"  the  foe.  If  they  discover  Indians  l)elon<;in;.;  to  the  enemy's  camp, 
they  watch  tliedire(dion  in  \\hi(di  they  conn' and  ^'o,  and,  (dian^^in^  their 
own  position  nsnally  at  ni^dd.  cantionsly  nnike  thei!'  approafdi  and  ;_n'a,d- 
iially  draw  near  enon^^h   to  discover  its  exact  location.     Sometimes  they 


m 


I 


ff     -7 


f    < 


Bt 


m 


!  '  M  I 


f  'l 


\%M 


''I 


'■■  •> 


314 


i'EIJSONAI^   KKC'OLLECTIONS  OF 


keep  the  same  wutcli  on  the  crests  of  the  mountains  for  the  purpose  (»f 
studying  thecampantlthe  hahitsof  th<'  enemy  in  regard  to  the  care  of  their 
stock,  and  of  learnin<^  the  topography  of  the  country  so  as  to  make  their 
retreat  as  safe  as  possible. 

A  dark  and  windy  ni^dit  is  best  for  makin«;tl»eir  descent  upon  the  camp, 
and  the  hour  chosen  is  usually  about  midni<.,dit,  when  the  unsuspecting; 
Indians  are  sound  asleep,  and  when  the  raiders  can  best  avoid  thefj^uard-i  if 
there  are  any  on  the  h)okout.  Then  they  crawl  into  camp,  unfasten  the 
iiorses  if  they  are  tied,  move  out  as  many  as  they  can  or  as  many  as  they 
want,  get  the  band  of  animals  a  short  distance  from  the  camp,  and  then 
commences  their  race  for  life. 

Of  course  they  know  that  at  the  dawn  of  day  when  the  robbery  is 
discovered,  they  will  be  pursued  by  the  fleetest  horses  remaining  in  the 
camp,  and  in  a  large  camp  this  is  very  often  a  serious  consideration,  as 
tlie  pursuing  party  is  made  up  of  the  ablest  and  best  riders  mounted  on 
the  finest  horses,  with  fre(|uent  relays.  The  stealing  party  generally 
expect  to  ride  two  nights  and  one  day  without  a  halt,  as  otherwise  they 
stand  a  good  chance  of  being  overtaken.  In  this  way  1  have  known  them  to 
make  a  circuit  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  or  a  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles 
before  taking  a  rest  longer  than  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  to  change  horses. 

They  drive  the  band  before  them  on  a  trot  or  slow  gallop  with  an 
occasional  short  walk,  until  the  horses  they  ride  become  tired.  Then 
they  stop  perhaps  for  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  to  remount,  possibly  taking  a 
drink  of  water  or  a  little  dried  beef,  and  then  continue  their  flight.  In 
this  way  they  are  constantly  on  the  move  for  from  thirty-six  to  forty- 
eight  hours;  but  even  after  these  tremendous  rides  they  are  not  ahvays 
successful. 

The  Crow  Butte  near  the  Black  Hills  derives  its  name  from  a  party 
of  Crow  warriors  who,  while  raiding  a  Sioux  camp  many  years  ago,  were 
pursued,  and  taking  refuge  upon  the  top  of  this  high  butte  were  kept 
there  until  they  were  all  killed.  A  small  tributary  of  the  Yellowstone 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Rosel)ud  takes  its  name  from  a  similar  instance. 
A  war  party  of  Crows  had  been  to  raid  a  camp  of  the  Sioux  some  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  away,  and  after  being  pursued  for  a  long  distance 
they  encountered  a  severe  storm,  and  not  being  protected  by  sufficient 
clothing  were  all  frozen  to  death,  and  the  creek  is  now  known  by  the 
name  of  "  Froze  to  Death."  These  expeditions  were  frequently  occurring 
between  the  Sioux  and  the  Crows  as  far  back  as  we  have  any  knowledge 
of  the  two  tribes. 


GKNEKAI.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


815 


arty 

were 

cept 

one 

mice. 

two 

ance 

lent 

the 
ring 
edge 


While  the  warriors  are  away  on  their  horse-.steaiing  expeditions  their 
relatives  and  friends  are  greatly  concerned  for  their  safety.  Usually  when 
they  return  they  send  one  man  in  advance  to  apprise  the  camp  of  the  re- 
sult. If  they  have  been  unsuccessful  and  have  lost  some  of  their  warriors, 
this  is  a  sad  mission.  On  the  other  hand,  if  they  have  been  successful  it 
is  an  occasion  of  great  rejoicing.  The  messenger  generally  appears  upon 
a  bluff  or  a  high  divide  and  halts  for  some  time  until  he  is  satished 
that  his  appearance  has  caused  great  consternation  in  the  village.  He 
then  moves  slowly  down  the  divide  or  side  of  the  butte,  approaches 
the  camp,  moves  along  to  his  own  lodge  or  that  of  the  principal  chief, 
and  dismounts.  His  horse  is  immediately  unsaddled  and  i)r()perly  cared 
for  and  he  is  asked  into  the  lodge  of  the  chief,  or  into  tlie  council  tent. 
Food  and  water  are  placed  before  him.  and  after  he  has  been  refreshed 
possibly  a  pipe  is  tilled,  lighted  and  given  to  him.  After  being  thus  feasted, 
and  not  before,  he  announces  the  result  of  the  expedition. 

When  the  band  returns  driving  the  herd  of  stolen  horses  before  them, 
they    are    received    with  ^ 

great  demonstrations,  and  ?  f, 
regarded  as  heroes  and 
brave  warriors.  At  night 
the  tires  are  lighted,  and 
frequently  the  whole  camp 
gathers  about  one  tire, 
while  the  warriors  in  turn 
relate  the  history  of  their 
expedition,  each  giving 
his  individual  experience 
and  adventures  to  atten- 
tive listeners,  and  as  he 
talks  the  other  members 
of  the  band  frequently 
strike  the  drum  and  sig- 
nify in  other  ways  their 
endorsement  of  his  state- 
ments. In  this  ''counting 
coos,"  as  it  is  called,  and 
while  relating  his  adven- 
tures, he  occasionally  pauses  to  say  to  this  one  or  that  'I  make  you  a 
present,"  at  the  same  time  handing  him  a  small  piece  broken  off  the  end 


/-v*::--?^-^ 


I  Makk  Yor  A  Pkksent." 


m' 


I 


310 


rKI{S()NAL  KK(X)M.K(TI()\S  OK 


ir/:  f 


of  a  stick,  vvliich  is  e(iuiviilent  to  tiie  i)respi]tati()n  of  one  ot"  the  horses. 
The  next  day  the  fortunate  individual  takes  tlie  stick  to  the  corral  and 
selects  his  pony,  horse  or  mule,  or  whatever  it  ina>  he.  In  that  way  all  of 
tlie  stolen  i)roi)erty  is  j^iven  away,  for  it  is  one  chief  element  in  the  char- 
acter of  an  Indian  never  to  accumulate  property,  and  the  most  jjopular 
men  are  those  who  give  away  the  most. 

On  one  occasion,  in  February,  18S0,  a  stealing  expedition  moved  south 
from  Sitting  Hull's  cami>.  crossed  the  Missouri,  then  went  south,  cros.s- 
ing  the  Yellowstone,  and  thence  west  toward  the  Tongue  and  the  Kosehud. 
Getting  information  of  their  movements.  Sergeant  (J lover  was  sent  to 
intercept  them  with  a  detachment  of  trooi)s.  He  surprised  them  in 
one  of  their  camps,  drove  them  into  a  ravine,  and  lield  them  there 
until  Captain  Snyder  with  his  tr()oi)s  came  up  and  forced  them  to 
surrender.  Tiiese  Indians  and  those  captured  i)y  Captain  Muggins, 
were  retained  as  prisoners,  and  information  was  sent  to  their  peo- 
ple that  they  would  he  held  until  their  relatives  came  in  and  sur- 
rendered. 

In  answer  to  this  summons  a  delegation  of  eight  stalwart  warriors 
came  in  under  a  flag  of  truce  ^'rom  Sitting  bull's  camp  to  ascertain  u[)on 
what  terms  they  could  surrender.  We  treated  them  civilly,  and  tried  in 
every  possible  way  to  impress  them  with  the  advisability  of  laying  down 
their  arms.  At  that  time  we  had  made  considerable  progress  in  the  settle- 
ment of  the  country,  and  had  introduced  some  of  the  modern  appliances. 
A  good-sized  village  had  grown  up  in  close  proximity  to  the  post.  The 
telegraph  system  was  in  working  condition,  and  we  had  also  established 
at  Fort  Keogh  a  telephone  system. 

In  this  conference  the  superior  advantages  that  the  white  man  had  over 
the  Indian  was  explained  to  them,  and  reference  was  made  to  an  electric 
telegraph  line  by  which  w'e  could  talk  instantly  with  the  Great  Father  at 
Washington.  This  they  did  not  believe  at  first,  and  it  was  difficult  to 
convince  them.  As  it  was  impossible  to  explain  to  them  something  that 
we  did  not  ourselves  know — that  is,  what  electricity  really  consists  of — we 
informed  them  that  the  (Jreat  Spirit  had  loaned  to  the  white  man  the  use 
of  the  lightning.  They  had  seen  the  lightning  and  knew^  something  of 
its  effects.  We  therefore  had  the  telegraph  office  made  dark  by  hang- 
ing blankets  over  the  windows,  and  seating  the  Indians  at  the  table 
asked  them  to  watch  results.  The  telegraph  key  was  closed  and  opened, 
and  they  could  see  the  electric  spark  flash  from  one  contact-poiat  to  the 
other  as  the  instrument  was  worked.     That  was  as  near  as  wc  could  come 


GKNKKAr,  XKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


31 


to  iiiiildnj;  tijem  understand  tlio  elpctric  force.     They  then  admitted  tluit 
this  excelled  all  tiie  medicine  of  all  the  Sioux. 

In  order  to  still  further  impress  them  \v  ith  the  power  possessed  hy  the 
white  num,  their  i)arty  was  divided.  an(i  one  i)ortion  remained  in  the  room 
of  the  telejj;raph  o^terator 


at  head(|uarters.  while  the 
other  was  taken  a  di.stance 
of  nearly  one-eif^hth  of  a 
mile  to  the  house  of  the 
commanding  otticer,  and 
then  the  telephone  was 
put  in  operation.  We 
succeeded  in  ^ettinj<  them 
to  talk  through  the  tele- 
phone to  their  comrades, 
whom  they  had  left  hut  a 
short  time  before,  in  their 
own  language. 

They  recognized  the 
voices  of  their  friends  so 
clearly  and  unmistakably 
that  they  were  fully  con- 
vinced that  the  sound  of 
their  voice?  sed  through 
the  wire,  a  u  it  was  sur- 
prising to  see  the  effect 
u})()n  these  aborijijines, 
s  t  a  1  w  art,  l)(>ld,  hard- 
nerved  men  as  they  were 
who  scorned  to  show  the  least  emotion:  men  who  had  been  throujj^h  the  sun- 
dance  and  taken  an  active  part  in  f'e  'Justsr  massacre.  While  holdin<^  in 
their  hands  the  little  elephone  instruments,  and  listenin<if  to  the  Dakota 
words  of  their  comrades,  their  hands  shook  visibly,  their  bodies  trembU-d 
with  emotion,  and  great  drops  of  perspiration  rolled  down  their  bronzed 
faces.  Then  they  carefully  laid  the  instrument  back  upon  the  table  and 
wished  to  go  immediately  away. 

They  appeared  to  be  as  much  struck  with  awe  as  if  they  had  been  in 
the  presence  of  the  Almighty,  for.  as  we  have  said,  when  an  Indian  cannot 
understand  anything  he  gives  it  a  spirit,  or  believes  it  to  possess  a  spirit. 


TlIK    '•  WlIISTKHINC.    SriltIT 


•«r, 


31S 


rK'KSONAI,  HKC()IJ,K(TI()NS  OK 


J '.' 


if 


m  I  i.'i 


If  it  shows  some  power  tluit  he  rannot  ecjual  or  excel,  it  inspires  his  rever- 
ence. Alter  rejcHiiin^' tiieir  conipjinions  and  talkin;^'  the  niatt«'r  over  and 
telling' their  experiences  and  impressions,  tiiey  pive  tiie  telepiione  a  very 
pretty  name  ;  they  called  it  the  "  whisi»erin{,' si»irit."  On  retnrnin^'to  their 
camp,  some  two  hnndred  miles  north,  it  is  needless  to  say  that  they  were 
strong  advocates  of  i)eace,  ur;jin}^  the  snrrender  of  the  camp. 

Amon;^'  the  different  camjis  that  came  in  and  snrrendered.  each  chief 
brinj^'in}.,'  his  own.  larfj^e  or  small,  the  principal  leaders  were  IJroad  Trail. 
Spotted  Eagle,  Kickin|i,'  liear,  Uain-iii-the-Face  and  others.  The  last 
named  was  (jnite  a  noted  Indian,  being  perlups  nnide  so  as  much  by  Long- 
fellow's poem  as  by  his  own  prowess,  lie  was  famous  among  the  Indians 
as  the  nnin  who  had  hung  by  the  tlesh  six  hours  in  the  sun-dance.  He  had 
been  arrested  on  the  Missouri  River,  and  in  the  liig  Horn  masj-acre  is  s.iid 
to  have  cut  out  the  heart  of  Captain  Tom  Custer,  placed  it  on  a  pike  and 
ridden  around  the  camj)  with  it.  When  he  surrendered  he  was  a  cripi)ie, 
having  been  injured  either  in  some  tight  or  buffalo  chase.  Therefore  in 
riding  about  the  cam})  ou  his  pony  he  always  carried  his  crutches,  as  he 
could  ride  all  right,  while  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  walk.  Spotted  Eagle 
was  a  wild,  Herce  chief  and  one  of  the  last  to  surrender,  and  was  one  of 
the  extreme  type  of  wild  savage.  Kicking  Bear  and  Short  Bull  were  not 
particularly  noted  at  that  time,  but  became  so  by  reason  of  their 
siibseciuent  acts  in  the  conspiracy  and  threatened  uprising  in  ISDO  and 
ISUl. 

In  this  way  more  than  two  thousand  surrendered  Indians  were  gathered 
at  Fort  Keogh.  They  remained  peaceable,  contented  and  industrious, 
fulfilling  all  reipiirements  made  upon  them,  until,  in  IfSSl,  when  orders 
were  received  to  move  them  down  the  Yellowstone  and  Missouri  to  the 
Indian  agency  on  the  lower  Missouri.  This  was  regarded  by  them  as  a 
serious  disaster,  as  their  crops  were  then  well  nigh  half  grown  and  in  pros- 
perous condition.  They  were  contented  and  happy  and  anxious  to  stay. 
They  went  about  from  one  officer  to  another  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  beg- 
ging, pleading  and  praying  that  they  might  be  allowed  to  remain  under  the 
control  of  the  military,  where  they  had  been  kindly  and  justly  treated, 
and  in  a  country  agreeable  to  them.  In  that  way  they  excited  the  sym- 
pathy of  all  who  saw  them,  officers,  soldiers  and  civilians ;  but.  as  the 
order  was  imperative,  they  were  placed  upon  a  fleet  of  steamboats  and 
shipped  down  the  river,  and  were  never  allowed  to  return  again  to  that 
country,  where  many  of  them  had  spent  their  lives  from  childhood,  as 
well  i^s  had  their  ancestors  before  them. 


(iKNKUAI.  NKl      /N  A.   MILKS. 


:U<.) 


AiiKHij^llic  Indians  wlio  liad  ocrasionally  linntcil  hntTaiocson  tin*  plains 
past  of  tlio  llocky  Mountains,  wvw  those  of  the  I'to  nation,  coinprisin},' 
seven  diflVnMit  hands.  These  peiiodical  hunts  were  always  at  the  risk  of 
('((jlision  and  war  with  the  Cheyennes.  Aiapahoes.  I\i()wasand  Conian- 
ches.  who  claimed  the  country  over  which  the  },'reat  Southern  here!  of 
i)ulTal(M's  ranj^ed.  as  their  (»wn. 

On  Septenihcr  I'A,  IST^I.  \\w  I'tes  ceded  to  the  I'nited  States  some  four 
million  acres  of  tiieir  reservation,  and  had  a  ri«,dit  to  expect,  as  |»art  of  the 
considersition.  tiuit  they  wouM  he  relieved  hy  the  ^'overnment  from  furtluM' 
inroads  hy  the  whites  ui)on  the  territory  retsiined  hy  them.  This  cause  of 
diss.it istactiori.  which  hud  for  years  disturhed  the  friendly  relations 
hetween  the  whites  and  the  red  men.  wasnot  removed;  hut  early  inSeptem- 
her.  lS7i),  A^ent  Meeker,  at  the  White  Hiver  a}.jency,  had  adilliculty  with 
Chief  Johnson,  and  sent  for  trooi)s  to  arrest  him  and  such  other  chiefs  as 
were  insubordinate.  As  soon  as  the  Indians  learned  that  the  troops  were 
advancinjj:  they  became  greatly  excited.  re^'ardin<j  it  as  a  declaration  of 
war.  They  re(iuested  the  commander  of  the  troops.  Major  Thornlmr^Mi,  to 
halt  his  troops  and  come  with  oidy  a  jj;uard  to  the  a^'ency,  where  a  talk 
and  better  understandinjjj  could  be  had.  This  he  declined  to  do.  and  with 
his  command  entered  the  reservation  Sei>tember  'JS. 

The  next  day  A^ent  Meeker  and  all  his  male  eniployes  were  killed,  and 
about  the  same  time,  the  advance  of  the  command  under  Lieutenant 
Cherry,  was  tired  upon.  Thoinbur<xh.  retiring  upon  his  wa^'on-train.  which 
was  (|uickly  parked,  placed  his  command  in  line  of  battle  and  awaited  the 
attack,  it  was  made  by  about  one  hundred  Indians,  led  by  Chief  -Ia(d\. 
Thornburj^h  was  killed  at  the  lie^innin^'  of  the  ti«rht.  and  the  command  de- 
volved on  Captain  l^iyne.  The  tro(>ps  du<;  ritle-pits.  and  made  breast- 
works of  wagons  and  animals  as  these  latter  were  shot  by  the  Indians 
from  their  positions  on  the  surroundin<?  heijj;lits.  and  maintained  the  de- 
fence until  nijjthtfall,  when  advantage  was  taken  of  the  dai'kness  to 
strengthen  their  position  by  every  available  means.  At  midnight  a  courier 
got  through  the  Indian  lines  aid  arrived  at  Kawiins  on  the  JJOth.  On  the 
morning  of  Octol)er  2,  a  reinforcement,  forty  strong,  arrived  in  the  be- 
sieged camp  under  Captain  Dodge  of  the  Ninth  Cavalry,  after  a  forced 
march  of  twenty-tliree  hours,  and  three  days  later,  on  the  a])proach  of 
Colonel  Merritt  at  the  head  of  a  large  force  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  the 
Indians  withdrew-  and  dispersed.  Besides  Major  Thoi-nburgh.  two  otiicers, 
eleven  citizens  and  two  soldiers  were  killed,  and  forty-one  wounded.  The 
Indians  admitted  a  loss  of  thirtv-nine. 


I 


i# 


n  ii.'i 


ii 


m 


!; 


:{20 


I'KHSONAL  |{K(()I,I,K(  TIONS  OK 


,U  ..* 


CIIAITKK  \XV. 
REsrLTH  OK  Six  Ykaks  ok  Indian  Campaionino. 

Hki)i;kmi;i>  TKHUiniHv  —  lis  V'aht   Akka  —  Zonks   ni-    Kmiuu  mhin  —  Indic  ationh   of   Cm  xk  xci  ki< 

FKOM      NaTIKAI,     Si  UKorSDINOS  —  Tin;    TUANH-CONTINKNTAI.     I{  Ml, WAYS—  I, AMI      AMI      I  1  S 

KniTMiTV  —  Dkstiny  ok  Tin:  \Vi:st — Yki.i.owstosk    \'ai,i,i:v  —  Tin:  ruoiii.ic.M  or 

JKUuiATioN  —  A    \Vi:si'i:».\    "("itv"  —  Tin:     I'i.aci:     and     Wohk 

oi'     Oi  u     So|,i»ii:us     in     Wkstkiin     1'ko(iki;sm. 

^ETWKKN  the  years  1S74  and  1SS(K  a  belt  of  coimtry  extiMid- 
••  in^  from  the  Kio  (iraiide  or  the  Mexican  l)oun(hiry  on  the 
south,  to  the  Canadian  honndary  on  the  nortii,  and  avera^'iii^' 
some  four  hundred  miles  in  width  from  east  to  west,  was  re- 
deemed from  a  wild  state  and  its  control  l)y  sava^'e  tribes,  and 
^'iven  to  civilization.  This  vast  re^'ion  comprised  a  territory 
nearly  eij^ht  times  as  lar^'e  as  all  New  Knjj:hind.  Take  out  of 
it  as  many  scjuare  miles  as  there  are  in  New  JMi^dand,  and  add 
to  this  New  York,  New  .leisey,  Delaware.  !\laryland,  Pennsylvania. 
Vir<;inia,  West  N'irjjinia.  North  Car(>lina,  South  Carolina  and  (Jeor^'ia, 
and  there  would  still  remain  more  than  enou^di territory  to  carve  out  other 
States  such  as  Alabama,  Mississi[)i)i,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  Or,  ajjraiu. 
take  all  New  Knj^dand,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana.  Illinois 
and  Iowa — the  belt  containin*;  the  }j:reatest  wealth  and  densest  i)()i)ulation 
of  the  Tnited  States  —  out  of  this  «rreat  territory,  and  there  will  still  be  an 
abundance  remaining'  out  of  whicii  to  form  several  other  States. 

This  vast  country,  over  which  in  1S74  roamed  powerful  bands  of  Indian 
warrioi's  and  countless  numbers  of  wild  jjjame,  was  in  six  years,  by  the  oj)- 
erations  of  the  United  States  Army,  freed  for  all  time  from  the  desolating,' 
influence  of  the  sava|?e.  and  made  habitable  for  civilized  man.  And  these 
rt\sults  are  due  to  the  heroic  services,  the  s])lendid  fortitude  and  coura^^eand 
noble  sacrilices,  of  men  like  Lewis.  Custer.  Thornbur^h.  Hale.  Bennett, 
Keo^h.  Yates,  Tom  Custer,  Crittenden.  Hiddle.  McKinney,  and  hundreds  of 
others,  otticers  and  soldiers,  who  i)laced  themselves  between  >varand  peace, 
between  dan*;er  i^id  security.  ^uardin<j:  the  newly-constructed  railways  and 
protect inj^j  the  towns  as  they  rose  on  the  plains.  They  freely  offered  their 
lives,  and  actually  cleared  this  vast  region  during  that  brief  time,  giving 


i  '  i 


;i 


(JKNKIJAI-  NKI.SON   A    MII.KS. 


:LM 


Iicr 

rain. 

iiois 

:i()ii 

ail 

lian 

<M'- 
iii*; 

and 
lett. 
sof 
ace. 
and 
loir 


Kinjr 


it  to  civilization  foroviM'.  It  is  to  he  hoped  that  th««  services  and  sacri- 
fices of  tliesc  men  will  at  least  he  renieinhercd  hy  the  people  who  occupy 
this  <'()untry  and  enjoy  its  henetits. 

It  is  somewhat  sin^nilar  how  prone  nnm  is  t«t  follow  in  his  mij^'rations 
the  zone  wlu're  his  fathers  lived.  Ohio  and  Kentucky  were  settled  hnj/ely 
by  the  middle  Atlantic  States;  Texas  from  the  southern  States;  Iowa. 
Kansas  and  Xehraska  hy  the  Middle  Stares;  Michij^'an.  Wisconsin  and 
Minnesota  l»y  people  from  the  northern  zone  of  our  country;  and  the  set- 
tlements in  western  Texas,  western  Kansas,  western  Neltraska,  the  Dakotas 
and  Montana  exhihit  the  sanu^  piienomenon  of  ^'I'owth  to-day.  The  people 
of  each  are  wedded  to  their  own  zone  and  climate,  and  are  enthusiastic  in 
the  development  of  their  own  district  of  country.  If  we  may  jiid^'e  hy  the 
comparative  vij;or  and  (mteri)rise  of  the  ahori<;inals  in  tlu'  countries  (»c<u- 
pyin^'  the  different  belts,  we  may  estimate  the  character  of  the  descendants 
of  the  people  that  have  supi»lanted  them,  and  measure  their  future  activity 
and  intelli{,'ence. 

The  southwest  country  has  been  noted  ever  since  civilize*!  man  has  been 
there  for  its  active,  intcllij^ent  and  enteri»risin}^'  spirit;  and  its  |)reseiit  i)op- 
ulation  has  forever  sui)planted  the  Comanches  and  Kiowas  as  i»o.s.s<»ssors  of 
the  soil.  The  white  settlers  who  have  j^'one  into  that  rej^'ion  have  mani- 
fested j?reat  resolution  and  energy  in  tho  development  of  its  natural 
resources,  building  a  network  of  railways,  opening'  mines  and  establishin;^' 
factories,  blocking;  out  plantations  and  building'  homes.  Alon<;  the 
middle  belt  we  see  the  enterprise  and  intelli<;ence  that  have  made  l'<Minsyl- 
\ania.  Ohio,  Indiana.  Illinois,  Iowa,  Missouri.  Kansas,  Nebraska.  Colorado, 
rtali,  Idaho  and  California  what  they  are  t(>-day. 

In  the  extreme  north  the  Dakotas  and  Montana  will  also  develop  in  the 
near  future  a  strong,  hardy,  heroic  race.  That  country  is  beiii^  tilled  by 
people  from  alonjjj  the  line  of  New  Enj;land.  New  York,  Ohio.  Michij^'an 
and  Minnesota,  as  well  as  l)y  a  forei<^'n  population  accustomed  to  the  li^'or- 
ous  climate  of  northern  Enrojje,  such  as  the  Scotch.  Irish,  Kn<rlisli,  North 
(iermans,  Swedes,  Norwegians  and  even  the  Hussians. 

Kvery  individual  coming  from  Euroi)e  and  settliii<r  in  that  country 
becomes  an  a^'ent  or  missionary  for  the  plantin<if  of  still  other  colonies.  A 
man  or  woman  who  has  ^vorked  there  long  enough  to  be  enabled  to  save 
fifty  dollars,  can  take  that  sum  to  almost  any  bank  along  the  line  of  the 
(creat  Northern  or  Northern  Pacific,  give  the  name  of  his  relative  in 
the  home  country,  whatever  part  of  Europe  that  may  be.  and  the  })ers()n 
named  will  be  transported  to  the  place  w  here  the  money  has  been  deposited 


^, 


I'SI 


lu 


I  • 


i  I 


f  1 


i)i'' 


\' 


l!(H 

I  ' 


£ 


n 


i .  I 


if.'   . 


11 


I'KUSONAI,   UKC()M.K(TI()NS  OK 


witliout  jriviiifj:  liiiDseif  -.Piy  furtlier  ('(tiiceni,  the  banks  and  transportation 
companies  attendin*;  to  the  entire  transaction.  In  tiiis  way  vast  numbers 
of  people  are  alread\  occupying'  that  country,  and  while  it  results  in  but. 
little  advanta^'e  to  the  present  }i:eneration,  the  next,  by  attending  the 
l)ublic  schools  and  acquirin<;  a  knowled^^e  of  the  Enj^dish  lan^nia^^e,  and  an 
interest  and  pride  in  our  institutions,  will  become  Americanized  and  help 
make  in  the  jj^reat  i)opulation  now  irrowin^^  up  in  those  western  States  a 
sure  foundation  for  the  futui'e  prosperity  of  the  commonwealth.  I'n- 
doubtedly.  as  the  Dakota  Indians  were  amon^'  the  most  stalwart,  bold  and 
enterprisinjj^  of  the  native  races,  so  that  same  climate  will  liave  its  effect 
upon  the  descendants  of  the  people  settlin^^  there  at  the  present  time,  and 
will  i)lace  them  anu)n^  tlie  st!()n»jfest  and  most  independent  of  our  citizens. 
There  is  something'  in  the  climate  that  engenders  a  si)irit  of  independence. 
ener<ry  and  fortitude. 

Duriny:  the  last  two  decades  that  great  belt  of  country  stretching  from 
the  Hio  (Jrande  to  the  Canadian  Ix  undary  has  been  crossed  ))y  not  less 
than  twelve  great  railway  systems  that  have  lateral  and  trans-<'ontinental 
connections,  to-wit:  the  Kansas  I'acihc,  the  I'nion  J'acitic,  the  Chicago 
and  Northwestern,  the  Atchison,  Toi)eka  and  Sante  Fe.  the  Northeiii 
i'acihc.  the  (li'eat  Northern,  the  Ihirlington.  the  Elk  Horn,  the  liock 
Island,  the  Denver.  Texas  and  (iulf.  the  Southern  Pacillc,  and  the 
Texas  I'acitic.  together  with  all  their  branches  and  tributaries.  The 
smoke  >f  the  Indian  villages  has  been  replaced  by  the  foundries 
and  furnace  Hres  of  civilization;  ihe  signal-lights  no  longer  Hash  from 
the  hills,  but  in  their  places  the  headlight  v)f  the  locomotive  and  the 
electric  light  disjud  the  shadows  of  town,  city,  and  plain,  and  illumine 
the  i>athw.iy  of  i)rogress  and  civilization. 

As  has  well  been  said  by  an  eminent  writer,  this  is  "the  land  of  large- 
ness." Mountains,  rivers,  railways,  ranches,  herds,  crops,  business  transac- 
tions, ideas,  all  are  Cyclopean.  It  is  said  that  western  stories  are  often  on 
such  a  large  scale  that  it  takes  a  dozen  eastern  men  to  believe  one  of 
them;  but  large  as  they  are  they  still  possess  all  the  elements  of  verity. 
The  States  and  Territories  are  large.  New  Mexico  is  larger  than  the 
United  Kingdom  of  (Jreat  Ih-itain  and  Ireland.  That  part  of  the  country, 
freed  from  the  ravages  of  the  Indians  by  the  campaign  of  1S74  and 'V.'». 
is  alone  larger  than  all  New  England,  together  with  New  York,  New 
Jersey  and  Delaware. 

The  anu)unt  of  useless  land,  though  large  in  the  aggregate,  is  much  less 
than  is  commonly  supposeil.  and  in  compaiison  with  the  wealth-producing 


GENKlJAr.  NKLSON   A.   MILKS. 


323 


isac- 

I  on 

10  ol" 

rity. 

the 

ntry. 

Now- 
less 
iciiiji 


'^^{^jKi 


^mm 


MAltnilNC!    n\    Tin:    SPAKKO    ''l.AlN. 


lands  is  almost  insi<»nilioant.  The  vast  region  oast  of  tlio  Hocky  Moun- 
tains. thou^Mi  not  lon^'  sinco  known  as  "Tho  (iroat  Ainorican  Dosort," 
roally  doos  not  contain  a  larjjjo  pereontai^o  ol"  nsoloss  land.  Wo  liavo  soon 
cattle  come  out  of  tho  Bad  Lands  in  the  spring  as  fat  as  if  they  luid 
been  fed  all  the  winter,  Tho  I'nited  States  surveyor  }j:onoraly  states  that  t  ho 
proportion  of  waste  lands  in  tho  Dakotas.  owin^  to  tho  absence  of  swamps, 
mountains,  and  overHowod  and  sandy  tracts,  is  h'ss  than  in  any  other  terri- 
tory of  the  same  size  in  the  Tnion.  'i'ho  Staked  Plains  of  Texas  has  been 
spoken  of  as  a  '"  des- 
ert"; but  aToxas  writer 
who  has  lived  there 
for  years  says:  "While 
it  is  true  that  this  vast 
territory  which  we  are 
describiui;  is  mainly  a 
^n'ii/.inj.'j  country,  it  is 
also  true  ihat  it  abounds  in  fertile  vall(\vs  and  rich  locations  of  lar^'ooxtcMit 
which  are  well  watered  and  as  fertile  as  any  in  the  Inion."  That  i)ortion 
of  the  Staked  IMains  which  is  mountainous  is  rich  in  minerals,  and  land 
often  api)ears  worthless  which  ujton  trial  prov(>s  to  be  fertile.  Water  is 
all  that  is  needed  to  make  most  of  our  western  "(hvsorts"  blossom  as  the 
rose.  The  important  (piestion  of  irrifj^ation  is  attractinjj^  tho  attention  of 
tho  entire  western  {UMjplo. 

Tho  unrivaled  resources  of  the  West,  tejjrethor  with  tho  un<M|ualed 
enterprise  of  its  citizens,  are  a  sure  projib.ecy  of  wealth.  Already  !<avo 
some  of  these  new  States  outsti'i[)i)od  their  older  sisters  at  the  \\i\M.  'i'ho 
West  is  d(>stinod  to  e<iual  tluMU  in  a^M-iculturo,  stock-raisin*;,  and  event- 
ually in  nuiunfacturin^^  With  numy  times  the  room  and  resources  of  tho 
East,  the  West  will  have  twice  its  i)ope.lat ion  and  wealth,  together  with 
all  the  intolli«i:once  which   under  popular  ^M>vornmont  accomj)anies  them. 

it  is  not  within  tho  scoi)e  of  my  plan  to  discuss  any  of  the  individual 
enterprises  that  have  nnirkod  tho  development  of  this  wonderful  territory, 
although  tho  temptation  to  do  so  is  ^n'(Mt.  The  j)ony  o\i>ross.  tho  build- 
in;^^  of  the  trans-continental  railways,  the  ji:roat  ii-ri^Mtion  schemes,  tho 
mammoth  minin*;  ent(Mprises  are  all  subjects  of  absorbing  interest,  and 
l)rosent  materials  tluit  would  till  many  volumes. 

In  the  light  of  information  that  1  have  olitaimnl  during  the  last  eight- 
een years,  my  opinion  has  not  «*hanged  as  to  tho  givat  future  of  that 
country,  although  statistics  and  records   are  most   valuable    in    fonning 

M  — 1(). 


324 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


correct  conclusions,  especiaHy  as  to  the  natural  limitations.  Statistics  have 
shown  that  it  was  not  safe  to  rely  entirely  upon  the  natural  elements  in 
aj^riculture  in  that  belt  of  country  which  I  have  described,  and  which  was 
formerly  known  as  the  "Plains"  country.  In  Montana,  the  Dakotas, 
Nebraska,  and  western  Kansas,  in  some  seasons  excellent  crops  will  be 
produced,  and  then  will  come  a  time  when  in  a  few  days  they  are  cut 
down  md  withered  by  hot,  dry  winds  that  absorb  every  particle  of  mois- 
ture. I'ndoubtedly  irrigation  could  be  made  the  salvation  of  this  belt  of 
country,  as  it  has  of  the  arid  territory  west  of  it.  Irrigation  is  the  surest 
method  of  producing  sufficient  moisture  to  insure  crops  in  almost  any  part 


I,  I  i 


ill'  ,i  ! 


I   i 


ScEXE  IN  Tin-:  Yki.i.iiwstoxe  Vat.i.kv. 

of  the  country,  and  especially  in  that  region.     It  has  in  fact  been  found 
beneficial  in  almost  every  district  of  the  United  States. 

If  we  Avill  take  account  of  the  moisture  that  comes  from  the  rainfall  in 
that  section  of  country,  the  melted  snow  of  the  springtime,  and  the  mois- 
ture received  from  the  perpetual  snows  of  the  mountains,  added  to  the 
flow  of  water  down  the  Missouri  through  its  tributaries  —  the  Yellowstone, 
the  Little  ]\Iissouri.  the  Platte,  the  Kaw.  and  those  great  rivers,  the  Arkan- 
sas and  the  lied,  which  empty  into  the  Mississippi,  —  we  will  understand 
why  for  so  many  years  it  has  been  necessary  for  Congress  to  appropriate 
many  millions  of  dollars  to  confine  the  overflow  of  the  Mississippi  along 
its  lower  portion,  and  the  question  arises,  if  a  portion  of  that  enormous 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


325 


lave 
ts  in 
was 
otas, 
11  be 
e  cut 
mois- 
eltof 
;urest 


^' 


¥fh 


found 

inf  all  in 
le  mois- 
to  the 
wstone. 
Arkan- 
erstand 
opriiite 
pi  along 
lornious 


sum  had  been,  or  can  be,  expended  in  the  construction  of  water  storaj^jes 
to  retain  the  water  in  early  seasons  in  artihcial  lakes,  and  allow  it  to  bo 
carried  over  arid  fields  and  plains  where  it  would  lu-oduce  an  abundance  of 
every  kind  of  agricultural  sul)stant'e.  and  then  slowly  tind  its  way  toward 
the  thilf,  would  it  not  benefit  both  sections  of  the  country  equally  ? 

In  describing  the  quick  growth  of  the  far  West,  I  canthiiik  of  no  better 
example  than  the  Yellowstone  Valley,  a  region  with  which  I  am  familiar. 

An  exhaustive  descripilon  of  its  topographical  features  would  re'tniri^ 
more  space  than  is  availal>le  for  that  purpose  in  this  vohime.  The  follow- 
ing i;"ief  summary  of  the  subject,  partially  (pu)ted  from  articdes  on  the 
subject  by  j\Ir.  E.  V.  Smalley,  will  give  the  reader  a  g<Mieiiil  ronceptioii  of 
the  character  of  the  country,  and  of  the  progress  of  settlement  along  the 
river  up  to  the  time  of  my  departure  for  my  new  command  on  the  l*aciti<; 
Coast  in  1881.  The  readiest  route  in  every  respect  for  entering  the  valley  is 
the  eastern  one.  which  insures  railroad  travel  to  the  Missouri  Kiver.  The 
traveler  at  St.  Paul  taking  the  trains  on  the  Northern  Pacific  Kailroad 
which  leave  morning  and  evening,  linds  himself  twenty-fonr  hours  later  at 
Bismarck,  now  the  capital  of  North  Dakota,  on  the  Missouri  Kiver.  lie 
has  traveled  in  that  interval  four  hundred  and  seventy-one  miles,  whieh 
has  been  comfortal)ly  passed  in  elegant  sleeping  cars  and  day  coaches, 
which  have  carried  him  through  the  greatest  wheat-raising  country  of 
America,  crossing  one  hundred  miles  of  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Red  Kiver 
of  the  North,  and  traversing  the  rich  and  almost  boundless  prairies  of 
Dakota. 

The  steamboat  route  was  the  favorite  method  of  traveling  (hiring  the  few 
months  of  the  year  that  it  was  available.  The  Yellowstone  Kiver  is  fed  in 
the  summer  months  l)y  the  melting  snows  of  the  Kocky  Mountains,  and  of 
the  lofty  ranges  which  lie  at  the  head  waters  of  its  larger  tributaries,  the 
Tongue  and  Big  Horn  Rivers.  From  the  middle  of  May  until  the  first  of 
September  there  is  usually  sufficient  water  in  the  Yellowstone  for  purposes 
of  navigation.  xVt  best,  however,  the  channel  is  narrow  and  winding,  and 
the  current  runs  at  an  average  rate  of  five  miles  per  hour.  The  Missouri 
has  an  almost  equally  rapid  stream,  and  the  voyage  from  Bismarck  to  Fort 
Buford,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Yellowstone,  although  a  distance  of 
only  .three  hundred  and  eighty  miles,  is  seldom  accomplished  in  less  than 
four  or  five  days.  Excepting  in  clear  moonlight  weather  no  ])rogress  is 
attempted  at  night,  the  ))oats  being  tied  to  trees  on  the  bank  during  the 
interval  of  darkness,  which  fortunately,  however,  is  very  brief  in  this  high 
latitude.     Fort  Buford,  in  latitude  forty-eight  degrees  north  and  longitude 


326 


PERSONAL  KKCOLLECTIONS  OF 


Ei   !,  ii 


mr 


one  hundred  and  four  dej^rees  west,  is  a  n»ilitary  i)ost  designed  to  receive  a 
garrison  of  four  companies  and  to  serve  as  a  depot  for  the  upper  Missouri 
and  YelhiWstone  Valleys.  Dii-ectly  across  the  Missouri  from  the  post,  the 
Yellowsti  lie  poui-s  into  the  stream  a  vast  volume  of  muddy,  yellow  water, 
and  at  its  mouth  it  is  apparently  the  lai'ger  river  of  the  two.  It  was  named 
by  the  early  Frencli  explorers  the  "  Hochejaune."  of  which  its  present  name 
is  the  translation.  Its  title  was  derived  fron\  the  prevailing  reddish-yellow 
color  of  the  stone  which  crops  out  along  its  shores.  After  the  middle  of 
July  the  condition ')f  the  channel  is  precarious  —  not  to  mention  the  almost 
ii<evitahle  risk  the  t'.iveler  runs  of  being  discovered  by  the  tiny  and  song- 
less  mosquiio.  \vhi(  h  is  a  curious  and  pertinacious  and  multitudinous 
feature  of  the  M  ssouri  River  part  of  the  journey.  It  is  not  necessary  here 
t(»  dwell  ujton  the  characteristics  of  the  scenery  along  the  two  rivers.  The 
desciii)ti()n  we  are  at  present  aiming  at  precludes  the  use  of  so-called  hue 
writing.  Sullice  it  to  say  that  both  in  Dakota  on  the  j\Iissouri,  and  in 
Montana  on  the  Yellowstone,  the  heart  of  the  intending  settler  will  be 
gladdened  with  the  sight  of  broad  prairie  lands,  rich  river  bottoms  and 
fertile,  undulating  plains,  the  immensity  of  which  surpasses  the  power  of 
human  description,  all  holding  forth  in  the  summer  sunshine  a  smiling 
invitation  to  the  agriculturist,  and  all  open  to  the  actual  settler  by  the 
free  gift  of  the  government.  These  facts,  which  are  purposely  stated 
inside  the  bounds  of  truthful  privilege,  have  not  we  l)elieve  a  parallel  in 
any  other  habitable  country  of  the  globe. 

After  the  long  steamboat  ride  the  traveler  natui-ally  feels  an  eager 
desire  to  reach  the  point  of  disembarkation.  That  feeling  is  enhanced  ))y 
the  prospect  of  emerging  from  the  wilderness,  to  set  foot  in  some  place 
dignihed  with  the  appellation  of  "city. ''  It  sometimes  happens,  however, 
that  words  of  strict  technical  import  acquire  through  custom  and  usage 
meanings  wholly  at  variance  with  their  primitive  significance.  Thus  the 
woi-d  "city"  has  become  in  American  parlance  a  relative  term.  In  the 
Eastern  States  where  a  dehnite  ratio  of  population  to  the  acre  determine 
the  eligibility  of  a  town,  a  city  is  an  almost  exceptional  thing.  In  tbc 
West,  where  the  acreage  is  vastly  disproportioned  to  the  po])ulation,  a  city 
is  the  sim[)lest  thing  imaginable,  (iiven  a  cluster  of  men  established  with 
a  view  to  permanence  at  any  i)oint  showing  promise  of  develoi)ment.  and 
it  is  as  easy  to  call  the  aggregation  a  "  city  "  as  it  would  ))e  to  call  it  a  camp 
or  a  village  t)r  town.  So  when  writers  in  the  West  speak  of  cities,  readers 
in  the  East  must  not  construe  their  meaning  according  to  their  own  stand- 
ards.    This,  however,    be   it  understood  is  not  by     way  of    apology.     A 


I 


(JKNKIJAI.  NKI.SOX  A.   MILKS. 


a27 


ve  a 

;()uri 
,  the 
ater, 
lined 
r.iiiie 
3llo\v 
lie  of 
I  most 
son|4- 
iiions 
'  here 
The 
(1  line 
nd  in 
:ill  he 
IS  and 
vver  of 
miling 
])y  the 
stated 
.llel  in 


ea^ei 
ed  hy 
place 
wever. 
usa^e 
lus  the 
In  the 
ermine 
In  th(> 
a  city 
:h1  with 
nt.  and 
a  camp 
readers 
stand- 


county  town  in  the  West  may  he  the  capital  of  a  re^'ion  rather  more  than 
one-third  larj^er  in  area  than  the  whole  State  of  Pennsylvania.  It  may 
be.  and  usually  is,  a  lively,  bustling  and  eminently  successful  little  town. 
There  are  skilled  artisans  of  almost  every  handicraft,  in  addition  to  a  fair  al- 
lowance of  merchants,  lawyers  in  abundance  and  physicians.  Some  of  the 
stores  ,vill  be  found  to  contain,  in  great  variety  of  course,  every  staple  of 
merchandise  purchasable  in  Eastern  cities,  besides  countless  articles  of 
mere  luxury.  Prices  are  quite  reasonable  considering  the  cost  and  ditti- 
cnlties  of  transportation.  Such  a  town  rapidly  growing,  is  usually 
regarded  as  destined  in  time  to  justify  its  name  of  '"city.  "  The  place,  not- 
withstanding that  it  may  derive  its  support  thus  far  mostly  from  its  prox- 
imity to  a  vast  rich  region  not  yet  developed,  may  contain  in  its  list  of 
industrial  enterprises,  carpenters,  blacksmiths,  painters,  dming-hails  and 
saloons  of  every  grade,  excellent  drug  stores,  depots  of  fancy  notions,  a 
free  school,  a  courthouse,  a  jail,  and  every  comfortable  Ihirg  in  fact 
recpiisite  to  maintain  a  town  on  an  independent  footing,  as  well  as  a  hrst- 
class  hotel  suitable  for  the  accommodation  of  tourists  aiul  businessmen 
temporarily  sojourning  there.  Moreover,  it  may  well  be  an  orderly  place 
in  which  riotous  demonstrations  are  promptly  and  inflexibly  repressed. 
Often  the  presentation  of  a  pistol  in  a  threatening  uianner  subjects  the 
offender  to  a  heavy  tine,  and  even  the  wanton  discharge  of  firearms  in  the 
streets  is  a  punishable  offence.  For  the  frontier  settlement  is  apt  to  rap- 
idly assert  itself  as  a  type  of  a  better  civilization,  despite  the  primeval  and 
savage  associations  which  still  attach  to  it  like  the  t»nicli  of  a  bloody 
finger. 

Around  a  nucleus  like  this  may  lie  the  splendid  stock-raising  plains  in 
which  the  famous  Montana  cattle  thrive,  finding  pasture  the  year  round. 
For  sheep  raising  also  the  advantages  are  et[ually  great.  Agriculture  on 
any  important  scale  is  perhaps  as  yet  almost  an  untried  experiment,  but 
the  natural  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  general  moisture  of  the  atmosphere, 
and  the  comparative  ease  of  artificial  irrigation,  if  needed,  have  long  indi- 
cated that  the  Yellowstone  Valley  is  likely  in  the  future  to  compete  in 
productiveness  with  any  section  in  the  United  States,  'i'he  climate  is  on 
an  average  about  the  same  as  that  of  the  northwestern  part  of  New  York 
State — the  extreme  ranges  of  the  mercury  being  greater  in  Montana,  but 
owing  to  the  purity  and  dryness  of  the  atmosphere  not  much  more  appre- 
ciable as  a  cause  of  discomfort  to  animal  or  plant.  This  matter  of  atmos- 
phere is  something  that  must  be  experienced  to  be  appreciated.  'I'o 
invalids  it  is  especially  grateful.    The  i)redominance  of  ozone  renders  it 


■.".;' 


il     ik" 


828 


I'EKSONAL   KKCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


exhihinitin^  to  sound  lun<?s,  and  in\  i^oralinj?  to  weak  ones  if  not  too  far 
gone  in  disease. 

The  north  shore  of  the  Yellowstone  is  only  inferior  to  the  south  shore 
in  the  fact  of  its  possessing  fewer  water  courses  than  Llie  latter.  It  is  prob- 
able that  artificial  irrigation  will  be  necessary  in  many  places.  l)ut  it  will 
not  be  universally  or  generally  reciuired,  and  there  is  everywhere  an 
abundance  of  water  for  the  purpose.  In  some  seasons  crops  .ire  raised 
throughout  the  valley  which  astonish  the  farmers  themselves.     Sometimes 


niM  n 


"Casti-i:"  (Ii;yskh,   Yi:i.i,i)Wst(im:   1'akk. 

4.000  bushels  of  oats  are  produced  on  less  than  a  hundi'ed  acres  of  land. 
In  the  Yellowstone  A  alley  the  productiveness  of  the  soil  w^as  at  first 
untested  and  the  surface  was  only  tickled  in  a  desultory  way.  Wherever 
any  e}:perinients  are  made  in  real  agriculture  the  result  is  unqualified 
success.  The  soil  in  the  valley  is  an  alluvial  deposit  of  rich,  black  and 
somewhat  heavy  earth  on  the  bottoms  near  the  stream,  and  a  warm  sandy 
h)am  on  the  l)en<'h  lauds  which  rise  in  terraces  further  back,  and  which 
are  generally  recognized  as  the  lands  capable  of  the  widest  range  of 
production. 


CiKNKIJAL  XKI.SON    A.   Mil.KS. 


a-jy 


fell' 


.  ;\iV 


Mil 


The  re^fion  alluded  to,  taken  as  an  exainple  of  far  western  j;ro\vth.  is 
one  that  the  writer  has  himself  nian-hed  ovei'  and  eani|)ed  upon  in  cam- 
paigns that  are  described  in  this  volume.  A  few  years  a^o  it  was  so 
remote  as  to  he  almost  inaccessible,  and  so  wild  as  to  be  quite  unknown. 
The  Dakotas  owned  it  in  apparent  perpetuity,  and  gave  it  up  at  last  with 
great  reln(^tance. 

It  was  so  within  memory,  with  all  the  vast  donniin  west  of  the  Mis- 
souri. All  that  we  now  call  the  '•  VV^est"  has  practically  become  ours  only 
since  our  energies  were  turned  in  that  direction  after  the  close  of  the 
great  war.  The  unorganized  march  of  our  ex-soldiers  passed  westward 
against  an  opposition  that  was  stubborn  and  almost  ceaseless,  but  they 
were  aided  always  on  their  front  by  the  otticers  and  soldiers  whose  cam- 
paigns, so  far  as  I  have  personally  known  them,  are  described  in  these 
chapters. 

The  six  years  of  campaigning  I  have  alluded  to  were  not  all  that  were 
consumed  in  the  struggle  that  peradventure  is  not  even  yet  entirely  ended. 
They  were  merely  the  most  active  and  fruitful  ones.  oi)ening  almost  at 
once  the  enormous  area  1  have  alluded  to  on  previous  pages.  Wherever 
the  struggle  has  ceased  there  has  at  once  come  the  cliange  I  have  de- 
scribed as  local  to  the  great  valley  of  the  Yellowstone  in  far  Dakota. 

The  picture  is  not  an  ideal  or  an  imaginary  one.  and  1  have  in  my  mind 
the  very  scenes  described.  Looking  backwai'd  but  a  few  years.  I.  myself 
having  witnessed  all  the  processes  intervening  between  the  tepee  and  the 
town,  am  astonished  at  the  change,  in  the  weariness  of  the  march,  the 
loneliness  of  the  camp  and  the  excitement  of  the  tight,  the  soldier  ot  tlie 
western  campaigns  was  not  awai'e  of  the  Hood  of  energy  behind  him. 
whose  l)arriers  he  was  breaking,  and  which  followed  instantly  when 
he  led  the  way.  As  I  have  said  before,  the  Indian  was  never 
destined  to  remain  in  the  position  of  barring  the  way  of  a  mighty 
civilization.  The  wrongs  he  has  suffered  are  inexcusable,  and  his 
destiny  is  one  of  the  saxUlest  in  hunum  history,  lie  might  have  yielded 
most  that  he  has  lost  and  still  have  been  treated  fairly,  still  have  had  the 
promises  made  him  fulfilled.  But  between  him  and  all  broken  con- 
tracts and  all  changing  policies,  the  soldier  of  the  little  army  of  the 
I'nited  States  has  been  recjuired  to  stand.  'J'hat  stand  is  now  a  matter  of 
history.  The  result  alone  is  seen  —  a  result  before  which  we  stand  sur- 
prised, while  old-world  statesmen  discredit  and  even  deny. 

Yet  all  that  is  here  stated  is  but  a  di^cnssion  of  mere  beginnings.  It 
was  once  prophesied  that  tlie.se  United  States  would  yet  hold  a  hundred 


a&m 


m\ 


I'KKSONAL  KKCOLI^KCTIOXS  OK 


i  ^' in 


millions  of  free  men  living'  uiuler  tlio  laws  of  Alfrod.  To  tlioso  who  havo 
wiitclied  the  growth  of  the  mi^'hty  VV<'st  for  a  (|nai'ter  of  a  cent  iiry.  the 
ef^iimate  seems  to  fall  fa?"  short.  That  miiltitiide.  and  more,  are  destined  to 
live  beyond  the  .Mississij)[)i.  undivided  from  their  lu-ertiren.  and  still  nndei- 
the  code,  the  spirit,  the  cnstoms  and  the  faith  that  had  tlieir  origin  among 
the  fathers  of  the  race. 

It  may  seem  [x'rtinent  to  this  chapter  to  devote  a  little  space  to  the  social 
life  and  amnsements  of  our  army  on  the  frontier,  and  a  brief  outline  of  some 
of  the  social  features  of  that  life  may  be  of  interest.  Theothcers  and  their 
fauiilits  at  ^hese  posts,  sometimes  hundreds  of  miles  from  the  nearest  rail- 
road, without  churches,  libraries,  art  gallcies.  clubs  or  theaters,  deprived 
even  of  the  daily  p'per.  and  rarely  seeing  new  faces,  are  forced  to  find  in 
themselves  and  in  each  other  someUung  to  rei)]ace  the  multifarious  forms 
O'     ocial  and  intellectual  activity  usual  in  all  civilized  C(»mmunities. 

Not  having  the  various  outside  interests,  which  in  a  city  often  keep 
apart  the  n<Mrest  neighbors,  intercourse  is  free  and  infoi'mal,  and  the 
closest  and  most  enduring  friendships  are  often  formed.  As  the  deadliest 
enmity  is  sometimes  found  between  ^bose  whom  Nature  has  the  most 
closely  united,  so  it  sometimes  happens  that  bitter  animosities  and  feuds 
I  engendered  in  these  little  clusters  '4  hunuinity.  so  dei»endent  on  each 
otiier  for  companionship.  These  cases  are  fortunately  exceptional,  the 
prevailing  tone  ;>Mng  tiiat  of  simple  cordiality  and  kindness,  even  where 
no  great  congeniality  exists. 

Fort  Keogh.  Montana,  where  T  was  in  command  for  several  years, 
might  be  considered  a  typical  frontier  post  from  the  date  of  its  estal)lish- 
ment  in  1S7(>  until  the  completion  to  that  point  of  the  Northern  PaciHc 
Kailroad  in  1SS2.  During  the  first  year  the  post  was  known  simply  as  the 
Tongue  River  Cantonment,  the  command  being  (piartered  in  rude  shelters 
constructed  in  quite  a  primitive  numner.  This  cantonment  was  situated 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Tongue  Kiver,  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Y'ellowstone; 
Bismarck,  North  Dakota,  distant  thi*ee  hundred  miles ,  beingthe  n^  arest  avail- 
able railroad  station.  When  all  the  postal  connections  were  closely  made. 
miJl  from  St.  Paul  or  Chicago  was  received  in  about  six  days;  but  in 
winter  this  time  was  sometimes  increased  to  several  weeks. 

During  the  summer  of  18.7  the  comparatively  commodious  quarters  of 
Fort  Keogh  were  built  near  tlip  cantonment,  and  the  garrison  moved  into 
them  in  November.  The  social  circle  was  enlarged  by  the  prrival  of 
officers'  families;  the  upper  stf>ry  of  a  large  storehouse  was  turned  into  a 
hall  for  entertainments,  pianos  and  comfortable  furniture  appeared,  the 


r 


^^•rr^ 


ik^i2:_ 


»<; 


!i'i 


■  •  1 1 


i' 

M: 


I'l 


I'll' 


^^il! 


in 


■  ,  f 


'  r 


!( 


(JKNKIt.M,   NKI.SON    A.    MII.KS. 


;{:{:{ 


vjiluiihle  libniry  of  tli»»  Fifth  liifimtry  was  iiiipiicktMl.  and  tlw»  liiu'  hand 
of  tlif<  ssiiiie  ivj^iuiciit  coiitrilnited  to  make  of  tlic  post  an  oasis  of 
civiiizjition. 

For  a  short  sesison  eacli  yoar  the  Y»'llo\vst()no  IJiviT  was  na\  i^'ahle  for 
small steni-wlieelsteaniiMs.  Thuarrivalof  tlu'srwcnioccasioiisof  iiiuisiial  in- 
terest, the  lirst  steamer  of  the  season  heiii},'  watrhed  for  with  s|i(M'ial  anxiety, 
and  fjfreat  was  the  excitement  and  deli^dit  when  her  whistle  was  heard  or 
her  smoke  discovered  down  the  stream,  (ioods  and  supplies  often  ordered 
months  before  were  received,  new  faces  weic  added  to  the  cii-ci  \  or  familiar 
ones  reappeared,  and  there  was  a  decided  hicak  in  tiie  monotony  of  many 
months.  The  departure  of  the  last  steamei'  in  the  fall  wasahvaysan  occa- 
sion of  sadness,  bearing  away  as  it  did  childicn  ^M)ing  to  sc!;ool.  otlic(»rs  and 
their  families  chan^in^  stations,  and  sonu'times  summer  *  isitoi's  who 
had  come  to  (^xi)erience  the  novelty  of  life  at  an  army  [tost  in  the  far 
West. 

An  amateur  theatrical  company  was  011,'ani/ed.  which  transported  \n 
imagination  the  spectators  from  the  banks  of  the  Yellowstone  to  other 
lands  and  other  times.  Scene  painters  as  well  as  actors  were  provided  by 
"home  talent."  and  their  efforts  may  have  lieen  a  little  ciude.  i)ut  their 
performances  met  with  much  applause  and  served  to  bei^niilethe  Ion*,'  win- 
ter evenings.  A  play  that  needed  long  and  careful  ])reparation  and  many 
rehearsals  was  liable  to  suddenly  lose  the  male  members  of  th(  cast,  as  de- 
tachments fnmi  the  garrison  w  ere  freciuently  sent  out  as  scouts  and  on  expe- 
ditions of  different  kinds  against  the  Indians,  their  absence  ranging  from 
a  few  days  to  weeks  or  even  months. 

Owing  to  the  situation  of  the  [tost  in  a  prairie  country,  and  to  other 
favoring  circumstances.  e(|uestrianism  held  an  important  place  among  the 
recreations.  The  garrison  for  several  ye  rs  consisted  entirely  of  mounted 
troops,  being  composed  of  the  Fift'-  .liuntry.  mounted  on  choicre  ponies 
that  had  been  captured  at  different  riinesfrom  the  Indians,  and  a  scpiadron 
of  the  Second  Cavalry.  Many  of  the  otlicers  also  owned  tine  private  hor.ses, 
and  a  pack  of  excellent  hounds  for  chasing  game  was  kept  at  the  post. 
The  surrounding  country  was  an  ideal  one  for  horseback  riding,  the 
wide,  level  river  bottoms  and  the  rolling  prairies  being  alike  covered 
with  firm,  elastic  turf,  save  where  broken  here  and  there  by  the  nnder- 
gronnd  cities  of  the  prairi<>  dog. 

In  that  region  is  found  much  of  the  "Bad  Lands"  formation 
peculiar  to  Montana.  These  Had  i^ands  may  be  described  as  follows: 
Riding  over  the  prairie  one  sees  towering  in  the  distance  what  appears  to 


■vu 


:j:{4 


PKWSONAI,  WKCOM.KCTIONS  OK 


I'     I 


Im'  a  nmliisrd  iiisiss  «»f  niiiH'd  masonry.  l{('fl«M*tiii^'  luick  the  my«  of  tlie 
sun.  walls  ol"  red  liriciv.  hrokcn  tiiirrts  <»f  hluisli  stone  and  cninildin^  l>at- 
ticnHMitsarc  linn^x to^^cthcr  in  iH'wiMcrin^'conlnsion.  Apiiroacliin^Miearcr 
flic  contoni's  cliiiiii^'c.  and  the  i'nin'>d  <'ity  piovi's  to  'i(>  a  stn|i(>n(lons  inas.s 
of  vai'ic^'atcd  clay,  almost  a  ^m-.mi|i  of  small  mountains  heaped  npon  the 
prairie,  and  worn  l»y  the  weather  into  a  chaos  of  precipices,  chasms  and 
tissures.     I  lore  and  there  tlie  fantastic  lahyrinih  is  penetrated  l»y  hridle 

paths,  trodden  only  a  few  years 
a^o  by  lierdsof  elk  and  ItiilTaloes, 
and  leading'  to  lofty  points  of 
o'tservation,  crowned  perhaps  by 
bits  of  piairie.  or  to  little  se- 
cluded vjilleys  and  patches  of 
^ra/in^'  land. 

Most  of  the  ladies  at 
P'ort  Keo^di  became 
expert  horsewomen. 
To  see  one  of  these 
art  ies  dash  inj^' after 
t  lu'    hounds 
across    the 
l)road  valley 
lands  of  the 
Yellowstone 
was  an  exhil- 
aratingsi^dit. 
The   prairies 
w  ere    u  n- 
touched    ))  y 
"  '  fence  or  plow\  though  buffalo  trails 

were  numerous,  a  herd  of  these 
animals  having  l)een  in  sight  of  this  post  as 
late  as  .January,  1881.  A  wolf  oi-  deer  was  oc- 
casionally started  and  taken  by  these  i)arties, 
lint  the  game  most  easily  found  and  taken  was  the  hare,  better  known  as 
the  jack  rabi)it.  Small  riding  parties  were  sometimes  organized,  and  conge- 
nial ])eople  visited  together  the  various  ])oints  of  interest  in  the  vicinity, 
exploring  the  recesses  of  the  broken  country  and  riding  through  the  Indian 
villages,  redolent  always  of  kinnikinic,  and  often  vibrant  with  wild  song 


Indian  MEDforxK  IVIan. 


(JKNKWAI-   NKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


:{:{.") 


and  (liiiicc.  or  with  tluMiicaiitiitioiis  of  the  iiUMliciiic  inaii.  or  the  hiii'uii<iiu\s 
of  tho  \r\\m  orator. 

Tlie  Indians  soinotinips  came  to  tlio  post  in  full  war  paint  and  feathers, 
and  j^ave  an  Omaha  dance,  weini  and  <j;rotes(|u<Mn  the  extreme  witii  its 
mimic  warfare  and  accompaniment  of  tom-toms.  'I'he  Omaha  (hmce  is 
meant  to  he  complimentaiy  and  must  he  reco^nii/ed  hy  snhstantial  ^ifts, 
hut  it  wonhl  he  terrifying  to  the  timid  except  for  tin*  sen.s«»  of  security 
afforded  hy  a  strong  garrison.  In  winter  skating  and  sleighing  parties 
were  most  enjoyahle. 

Fort  Keogh  is  now  in  the  heart  of  a  flourishing  grazing  and  farming 
community,  and  only  two  miles  from  a  thriving  western  town  and  county 
seat.  All  the  conditions  have  (diang(Ml.  'I'he  life  which  I  have  meag«'rly 
outline<l,  leaving  imagination  to  supply  the  rest,  has  vanished,  or  like  so 
many  other  phases  |)ertainiug  to  the  frontier  is  swiftlv  drifting  into  the 
<^o-morrow  that  returns  not  again. 


i>"i 


s 


3;j() 


rEKSONAL  KECOLJ.ECTIONS  VF 


«■   ) 


CHAPTKH   XXVI. 
The  Indian  Pkohlem. 


M  i  i 


I    M ! 


i,       «', 


CoNri.i'sioxs     <iK     Pkrsonai,      Kxckuiknci:  —  E\r)      di-      Trie      Indian-      TnorBLEs      Not      Ykt 

Ni:.\n  —  OmciiNAi,  ('aisios  ok  Tiiiosi: — Indians    in    Motivi;   I.iki:   Otiiiok  Mkn  —  His- 

ToKY  oh"  'riiK  Indian  in  tiii:  Unitkd  Statics — Tin-;  Two  Modks  ok  Soi,vin<; 

Till-:  (^iKSTioN  —  Till-:  Aitiiok's  I'i.an  koh  tiiio  Hi:ni:i'it  ok  tiik 

Indian  and  tiu:    Sicc'iuiNCi  ok  I'kkmanknt  I'ioai  k. 

ri{IN(i  my  experience  along  the  frontier  of  the  Southwest  and 
the  Northwest.  I  had  opportunities  of  seeing  much  of  the  savage 
natures  of  the  Indians,  of  hearing  mucii  of  their  depredations  and 
atrocities,  and  the  expression  that  "the  only  good  Indian  is  a 
dead  Indian  "  was  not  an  uncommon  one.  At  the  same  time  I 
had  opportunities  of  seeing  the  better  elements  of  their  nature, 
the  good  qualities  that  some  possessed,  and  not^  the  same 
differences  in  them  that  we  tind  in  other  people  under  similar  or  like 
circumstances. 

1  have  had  occasion  to  speak  of  the  wrongs  that  I  noticed  committed 
against  the  Indians  in  New  Mexico.  Another  incident  illustrates  the  diffi- 
culty of  the  good  purposes  of  the  government  being  fulfilled.  Upon  one 
occasion  a  commissioner  was  sent  from  Washington  to  meet  a  large  tribe 
of  Arapahoes  on  the  plains  near  the  Arkansas  River,  where  they  had  been 
gathered  for  council.  All  the  Indians  being  gathered  in,  the  council 
opened  with  great  ceremony  and  ostentation,  and  the  commissioner  was 
treated  with  great  distinction  as  coming  from  the  Great  Father  at  Wash- 
ington. The  commissioner  explained  to  the  Indians  that  the  Great 
Father  was  President  of  the  whole  country;  that  he  had  the  same  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  Indians  that  he  had  in  all  the  other  inhabitants  of 
the  United  States,  regardless  of  color,  race  or  condition;  that  the  Gi-eat 
Father  had  commissioned  him  to  express  his  good  will  tow^ard  them  and 
his  deep  interest  in  their  welfare,  and  also  the  hope  that  they  might  be 
industrious  and  prosperous,  and  he  further  hoped  that  they  might  gatiiei- 
large  quantities  of  robes  and  furs  and  receive  good  returns  for  them,  in 
order  that  they  ni,ht  supply  the  wants  of  themselves  and  families;  that 


iiii. 


GKNKKAL   NKLSON   A.   MILES. 


887 


Ykf 


they  iiii«?lit  live  in  peace  and  frien(lslii[)  with  their  white  iieifjhhors.  and 
that  they  woukl  refrain  from  ^oin*;  to  war;  that  they  wonUI  he  ever 
faithfnl  and  h)yal  to  the  general  j^overnnient  and  to  the  end  that  they  and 
their  families  nii^ht  live  in  peace  and  lui|)|)iness  all  their  lives.  I'n- 
fortnnately.  the  commissioner  had  em[)loyed  as  his  interpreter  at  this 
conncil  a  num  who  had  lived  many  years  with  the  Indians,  ajid  who  was 
employed  hy  a  tirm  known  as  Bent,  at  Hent's  store  on  the  Arkansas  liivei-, 
who  was  accnstomed  to  })nrchase  i-ohes  and  tnrs  and  «;ive  to  \\\o  Indians 
very  small  retnrns.  WIkmi  he  came  to  that  pai't  of  the  messa^c^  of  tlu^ 
(ireat  Father,  instea<l  of  interi)retin;,f  what  the  commissioner  really  said, 
he  thonght  he  wonld  do  a  little  hnsiness  for  the  trader,  and  said  that  "the 
(ireat  Father  hoixnl  that  they  wonld  pither  lar^^e  (piantities  of  hnfTalo 
rohes  and  fnrs.  and  he  careful  to  hrin<,'  them  all  to  Hent's  stoie  and  sell 
them  cheap;"  and  for  many  years  the  Indians  sni)posed  that  the  President 
at  Washinj^ton  had  sent  this  ahsnrd  messa<i;e. 

Attain,  at  another  time  a  steamer  load  of  annuity  "oods  was  sent  up  the 
Missouri  Hiver  to  near  Fort  Feck  in  Montana,  and  instead  of  l»ein<.r  dis- 
trihuted  to  the  Indians,  a  store  was  opened  and  the  entire  amount  hai-tered 
to  the  Indians  for  fnrs  and  rohes.  and  the  next  ycnir  the  same  steamer 
carried  down  the  river  a  load  of  these  valnahles  ohtained  hy  fraud. 

Sometimes,  indeed,  intertrihal  jealousies  and  hatreds  have  involved 
the  whites  in  unintentional  and  nnpiemeditated  a^«;ression  upon,  or  con- 
tiict  with,  some  particular  hand  or  trihe.  A  case  in  point  is  relatetl  hy 
Washington  Irving  in  his  "Adventures  of  Captain  Monneville"  asoc<'urriug 
in  1S3"2  in  the  valley  called  Fiei'i'e's  Mole,  adjoining  that  named  -lacksou's 
Hole,  where  the  liannock  Indian  outhreak  has  heen  threatened  as  this 
hook  is  heing  put  in  type.  The  valley  so  named  is  aluuit  thii'ty  miles  long 
and  fifteen  wide,  overlooked  to  the  east  hy  the  lofty  mountains  called  the 
Three  Tetons,  southwest  of  th<»  Yellowstone  National  Fai'k.  Pierre's  Hole 
had  heen  selected  as  the  annual  rendezvous  for  that  year,  and  in  it  was 
congregated  the  motley  po})ulace  connected  with  the  fur  ti'atle  traders, 
trappers,  hunters,  half-hreeds;  also  Xe/  Perccs.  Flatheads  and  other 
Indians  with  their  families,  assemhied  tVom  all  ipiarters  awaiting  their 
yearly  supplies,  preparatory  to  starting  away  in  all  directions  for  the 
ensuing  year's  hunting  and  trapping.  When  the  gathering  »lisi)ersed.  one 
l)and  of  fourteen  trappers,  led  hy  a  hrother  of  the  famous  Captain 
Sid)lette.  set  out  in  company  with  two  other  hands  from  whom  they  were 
to  separate  later,  nnmhering  forty  altogethei-.  for  the  southwest.  On  the 
following  nioniing.  just  as  they  were  hreaking  camp,  they  ohserved  a  long 


Ui    1 


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PERSONAL  HECOI.LECT'ONS  OF 


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ii 


line  of  Blackfeet  liidiims  approaching,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  in 
num))er-  men.  women  and  children.  Having  perceived  the  trappers 
before  they  wei-e  themselves  discovered,  these  Indians  came  down  from 
the  mountain  dehle  yelling  and  whooi)ing  into  the  plain. 

•'One  of  the  trappers  of  Sublette's  brigade."  says  Irving,  "named 
Antoine  (Jodin.  now  mounted  his  horse  and  rode  forth  as  if  to  hold  a 
conference.  He  was  the  son  of  an  Irocjuois  hunter  who  had  been  cruelly 
murdered  by  the  Blackfeet  at  a  small  stream  below  the  mountains,  which 
still  bears  his  name.  In  company  with  Antoine  rode  forth  a  Flathead 
Indian,  whose  once  powerful  tribe  had  been  completely  broken  down  in 
their  wars  with  the  Blackfeet.  Both  of  them  therefore  cherished  the 
most  vengeful  hostility  against  these  marauders  of  the  mountains.  The 
Blackfeet  came  to  a  halt.  One  of  the  chiefs  advanced  singly  and 
unarmed,  bearing  the  pipe  of  peace.  The  overture  was  certainly  pacihc; 
but  Antoine  and  the  Flathead  were  predisposed  to  hostility,  and 
pretended  to  consider  it  a  treachei'ous  movement. 

•■'Is  your  piece  charged T  said  Antoine  to  his  red  companion. 

"'it  is.' 

"'Then  cock  it  and  follow  me.' 

"  Tliey  met  the  Blackfeet  chief  half  way,  who  extended  his  hand  in 
friendship.     Antoine  grasped  it. 

"  '  Fire!'  cried  he. 

•'The  Flathead  leveled  his  piece  and  brought  the  Blackfeet  chief  to  the 
gi-ound.  Antoine  snatched  off  his  scarlet  blanket,  which  wa;;  richly 
ornamented,  and  galloped  off  with  it  as  a  trophy  to  the  camp,  *he  bullets 
of  the  enemy  whistling  after  him." 

What  wonder  that  a  l)loody  and  immediate  battle  ensued  between  the 
Blackfeet  and  the  trapper  bands,  in  which  the  latter  got  much  the  worst  of 
it  until  reenforcements  came  from  the  collection  of  whites  still  remaining 
at  the  rendezvous,  eight  miles  further  up  the  valley. 

Such  Avere  the  wars  and  feuds  among  the  tribes,  and  from  such 
seemingly  triHing  causes  came  results  at  times  of  far-reaching  and  tragic 
impoi'tance  to  the  white  people. 

During  the  winter  of  1S7S  1)  the  Indian  prol)lem  was  exciting  much 
interest,  and  at  the  retjuest  of  Mr.  Allen  Thorndyke  Hice  I  wrote  the 
following  article  on  the  subject,  which  appeared  in  the  ••North  American 
Review"  for  March  1S71).  The  article  presents  the  views  I  entertained  at 
that  time  and  many  of  the  suggestions  therein  contained  have  sinco  been 
adopted. 


GENEKAl.  NELSON   A.   .MILES. 


aat) 


in 


THE   INDIAN   TUOliLEM. 

Strange  as  it  may  appear,  it  is  nevertheless  a  fact  that,  after  nearly 
four  hundretl  years  of  contlict  i>etvveen  the  Kuropean  and  American  races 
for  supremacy  on  this  continent,  a  conflict  in  which  war  and  iteace  have 
alternated  almost  as  fre(iuently  as  the  seasons,  we  still  have  presented  the 
(piestion,  "  W  liat  shall  he  done  with  the  Indian.'"  Wise  men  differ  in 
opinion,  journali.'^ts  speculate,  divines  preach,  and  statesmen  pronounce  it 
still  a  vexed  ((uestion. 

If  the  j^raves  of  the  thousands  of  victims  who  have  fallen  in  the  teri-ihle 
wars  of  the  two  races  had  heen  placed  in  line,  the  philanthropist  nii<fht 
travel  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Lakes  to  the  (lulf, 
and  he  constantly  in  si^dit  of  green  mounds.  And  yet  we  marvel  at  the 
prohlem  as  if  some  new  question  of  politics  or  morals  had  heen  presented. 

The  most  amusing  part  of  the  (juandary.  however,  is  that  it  should  he 
regarded  as  something  new  and  original.  After  every  generation  had,  in 
its  time,  contended  on  deadly  ttelds  with  the  hope  of  settling  the  (luestion, 
after  the  home  governments  had  enacted  laws,  and  the  colonies  had  franie(l 
rules,  every  succeeding  administration  of  our  government  has  heen  forced 
to  meet  the  difficulty,  every  Congress  has  discussed  the  "  Indian  (Question," 
and  we  are  still  face  to  face  wath  the  perplexing  prohlem.  The  real  issue 
in  the  question  which  is  now  hefore  the  American  people  is,  whether  w'e 
shall  ever  hegin  aj^niin  the  vacillating  and  expensive  policy  that  has  marred 
our  fair  name  as  a  nation  and  a  Christian  i)eople.  or  devise  some  way  of 
still  improving  the  practical  and  judicious  system  hy  which  we  can  govern 
a  ((uarterof  a  million  of  our  population,  secaie  and  maintain  their  loyalty, 
raise  them  from  the  darkness  of  harharism  to  the  light  of  civilization,  and 
put  an  end  forever  to  these  interminahle  and  expensive  Indian  wars. 

In  considering  the  suhject  it  might  he  well  to  first  examine  the  causes 
which  govyrned  so  long  the  condition  of  affairs,  and  if  in  doing  so  the 
writer  shall  allude  to  some  of  the  sins  of  his  own  race,  it  will  only  he  in  order 
that  an  unhiased  judgment  may  he  formed  of  hoth  sides  of  the  (luestion. 

It  will  he  rememhered  that  one  class  or  race  is  without  representation, 
and  has  not  the  advantages  of  the  press  or  telegraph  to  hring  it  into  com- 
munication with  the  intelligence  of  the  world,  and  that  it  has  seldom  he<Mi 
heard  except  in  the  cry  of  alarm  and  contlict  along  the  Western  frontier. 
If  we  dismiss  from  our  minds  the  ])rejudice  we  may  have  against  the 
Indians,  we  shall  he  ahle  to  more  clearly  understand  the  impulses  that 
govern  hoth  races.     Sitting  Hull,  the  great  war  chief  of  the  Dakota  nation. 


ff 


Mi'i 


■  in 


340 


rp:i{S()XAi,  i{kc()llh:cti()\s  of 


hA^ii 


uttered  one  truth  of  his  times  when  lie  suit!  that  ''there  was  not  one 
wiiite  man  who  loved  an  Indian,  and  not  an  Indian  but  who  hated  a 
white  man." 

Could  we  but  perceive  the  true  character  of  the  Indians,  and  learn 
what  their  dispositions  are  when  not  covered  by  the  cloak  of  necessity, 
policy  and  interest,  we  should  find  that  they  have  always  regarded  us  as  a 
body  of  false  and  cruel  invaders  of  their  country,  while  we  in  turn  are  too 
apt  to  consider  them  as  a  treacherous  and  l)loodthirsty  race,  who  should 
be  destroyed  by  any  and  all  means.  If  we  now  fairly  consider  the  cause  of 
this  feeling,  we  may  more  readily  understand  its  result. 

The  more  we  study  the  Indian's  character,  the  more  we  appreciate  the 
marked  distinction  between  t)ie  civilized  being  and  the  real  savage.  Yet 
we  shall  find  that  the  latter  is,  after  all,  governed  by  the  impulses  and 
motives  that  govern  all  other  men.  The  want  of  confidence  and  the  bitter 
hatred  always  existing  between  the  two  races  have  l)een  engendered  by 
the  warfare  that  has  lasted  for  centuries,  and  by  the  stories  of  l)ad  faith, 
cruelty  and  wrong  handed  down  by  tradition  from  father  to  son  until  they 
have  become  second  nature  in  both.  It  is  unfair  to  suppose  that  one  party 
has  invarialily  acted  rightly,  and  that  the  oMier  is  responsible  for  every 
wrong  that  has  l)een  committed.  We  might  recount  the  treachery  of  the 
red  man,  the  atrocity  of  his  crimes,  the  cruelties  of  his  tortures  and  the 
hideousness  of  many  of  his  savage  customs.  We  might  undertake  to  esti- 
mate the  number  of  his  victims,  and  to  picture  the  numberless  valleys 
which  he  has  illumined  by  the  burning  homes  of  hardy  frontiersmen,  yet  at 
the  same  time  the  other  side  of  the  picture  might  appear  equally  as  black 
with  injustice. 

One  hundred  years  before  the  pilgrims  landed  at  Plymo;  th,  the  Spanish 
government  issued  a  decree  authorizing  the  enslavement  of  the  American 
Indians  as  in  accord  wHh  the  law  of  (Jod  and  man.  Later  they  were  trans- 
ported to  France,  to  San  Domingo  and  other  Spanish  colonies,  were  sold 
into  slavery  in  Massachusetts.  Khode  Island,  Pennsylvania.  Virginia,  the 
Carolinas.  (Jeorgia,  and  Louisiana,  and  were  hunted  with  dogs  in  C-onnecti- 
cut  and  Florida.  Practically  disfranchised  by  our  original  Constitution, 
and  deprived  either  by  war  or  treaty  of  nearly  every  tract  of  land  v.hich  to 
them  was  desiral)le  and  to  the  white  man  valual>le.  they  were  the  jirey  to 
the  grasping  av^arice  of  both  Jew  and  Gentile.  Step  by  step  a  powerful 
and  enterprising  race  has  di'iven  them  back  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  West 
until  at  last  there  was  scarcely  a  spot  of  ground  upon  which  the  Indians 
had  any  certainty  of  maintaining  a  permanent  abode. 


GENEKAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


341 


It  may  be  well  in  this  connection  to  remember  the  fact  that  in  the 
main  the  Europeans  were  kindly  treated  l)y  the  natives  when  the  former 
first  landed  on  American  shores,  and  when  they  came  to- make  a  permanent 
settlement  were  supplied  with  food,  particularly  the  Plymouth  and  Ports- 
mouth colonists,  which  enabled  them  to  endure  the  severity  of  the  long  and 
cheerless  winters.  For  a  time  during  the  early  settlement  of  this  country, 
peace  and  good  will  prevailed,  only  to  be  followed  later  by  violent  and 
relentless  warfare. 

Our  relations  with  the  Indians  have  been  governed  chietiy  l)y  treaties 
and  trade,  or  war  and  su))jugation.  By  the  hrst  we  have  invariably  over- 
reached the  natives,  and  we  lind  the  record  of  broken  i)romises  all  the  way 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  while  many  of  the  fortunes  of  New  York, 
Chicago.  St.  Louis  and  San  b  rancisco  can  be  traced  directly  to  Indian 
tradership.  By  war  the  natives  have  been  steadily  driven  toward  the 
setting  sun — a  subjugated,  a  doomed  race.  In  council  the  Indians  have 
produced  men  of  character  and  intellect,  and  orators  and  diplomats  of 
decided  ability,  while  in  war  they  have  disi)layed  courage  and  sagacity  of 
a  high  order.  Edui-ation,  science,  and  the  resources  of  the  world  have 
enabled  us  to  overcome  the  savages,  and  they  are  now  at  the  mercy  of 
their  conquerors.  In  our  treaty  relations  most  extravagant  and  yet  sacred 
promises  have  been  given  l)y  the  highest  authorities,  and  these  have  been 
freciuently  disregarded.  The  intrusions  of  the  white  race  and  the  noncom- 
pliance with  treaty  obligations,  have  been  followed  by  atrocities  that  could 
alone  satisfy  a  savage  and  revengeful  spirit.  Facts  that  have  been  already 
referred  to  make  it  almost  impossible  for  the  two  conflicting  elements  to 
harmonize.  No  administration  could  stop  the  tidal  wave  of  immigration 
that  swept  over  the  land;  no  political  party  could  restrain  or  control  the 
enterprise  of  our  people,  and  no  reasonable  man  could  desii-e  to  check  the 
march  of  civilization.  Our  progress  knew  no  bounds.  The  thirst  for  gold 
and  the  restless  desire  to  push  l)eyond  the  horizon  have  carried  our 
people  over  every  o])stacle.  We  have  reclaimed  the  wilderness  and 
made  the  ])arren  desert  glisten  with  golden  harvest ;  settlemenU 
now  cover  the  hunting  ground  of  the  savages;  their  country  has  l)een 
cut  and  divided  in  every  conceivable  form  by  the  innumei'able  railroad 
and  telegraph  lines  and  routes  of  communication  and  commerce,  and 
the  Indians  standing  in  the  pathway  of  American  progress  and  i\w  de- 
velopment of  the  wonderful  resources  of  this  country  have  l)ecome  the 
common  enemy  and  have  been  driven  to  the  remote  places  of  our 
territory. 

M— 20 


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ifi 


:142 


I'KKSONAI.   K'KCOl.i.KCTIONS  OK 


d  '■ 


Diiriiif.'  flic  tiiiH'  thai  1  liis  woiidcrl'iil  cliaii^'c  was  Iiciii^  wroii^ilit.  it  may 
Itc  uskcd  il'  the  Indians  as  a  Itody  lia\('  made  an.\'  [ fo^^n'i'ss  towai'd  ('i\iliy,a- 
tion.  and  in  the  li^dif  of  |>ast  liistorv  \v<'  would  he  pronijttctl  to  ivjil y : 
Why  should  they  have  ahandonod  the  modes  (►f  life  which  ^iatul•e  litul 
^n\('n  t  hem  to  adopt  1  he  customs  of  their  one  mios.' 

In  scel<iii,ixtlicc\  idences(»t"  cnlii^ditenmeiit  tlu^  results  are  not  satisfactory. 
It  is  presumed  that  there  is  ,:ot  a  race  of  wild  men  on  the  face  of  the  ^dohe 
who  worshi})  the  (ireat  S[iii-it  moic  in  accoi'flance  withtl.'t  I'elitfioii  tau^dit 
in  the  (la\s  of  the  pati'iai'chs  tha.n  the  natives  of  this  country,  and  yet 
after  man,\  xcars  of  contact  with  the  ci\ilized  people  the  footpi'ints  of 
e\il  wei'e  as  plentiful  and  as  common  as  t  he  e\  idences  of  ( 'lu'istianity. 
Aitain.  in  early  days  the  Indian  ti-ihe;--  were  to  a  considerable  ext(Mit  tillers 
of  the  soil,  hut  hy  constant  warfare,  in  whidi  their  litdds  were  devastated 
and  their  crops  desti'oyed.  the.\  have  hecome  the  mei"e  remnant  of  their 
former  streiij;th.  or  \vere  pushed  out  on  the  vast  [dains  of  the  West  w  hei'e 
they  subsisted  upon  wild  'ruits  and  the  tlesh  of  animals.  (  ould  we  ohtain 
accurate  stat  istics.  we  v  ould  nndouhtedly  liud  that  there  were  moiv  aci'cs 
of  irround  cultivated  l)\  the  Indians  one  hundred  yeai's  aj^^o  than  at  the 
pi'esent  time.  The  white  race  had  finally  ohtained  such  comjdete  conti'ol 
of  eveiT  (piarterof  t  he  country,  and  tin*  means  of  communication  with 
every  section  hecame  so  ample  th.tt  the  |)rol)lem  resolved  itself  into  one  or 
the  other  of  two  modes  of  so'utiou.  vix..  to  (Mitirely  destroy  the  I'ace  hy 
haiiishment  and  (^xtei'minat  ion.  oi"  ro  adopt  som<»  humane  and  practicable 
method  of  imjU'oNinj,' the  condition  of  the  Indians,  and  in  the  end  make 
them  ]>ai't  and  pai'cel  of  our  .^n-eat  po]»ulati(m.  The  fii'st  proposition, 
tlumudi  it  was  h)und  To  have  thonsaiuls  of  advocates  in  (hlTerent  sections 
of  th'^  country,  was  and  is  too  abhoi-rent  to  every  sense  of  Innnanity  to  be 
considennl.  The  other  method  was  rci^arded  as  practicable,  but  its  adop- 
tion was  considered  (loid)tful. 

LooUiui;  at  the  pui'pose  of  our  ^n)vernnient  toward  the  Indians,  we  find 
that  aft(n'  subju^^atinu'  them  it  has  been  our  policy  to  collect  the  diflerent 
tribes  on  ]'(vs(M-vations  and  support  them  at  the  expense  of  our  people.  The 
Indians  have  in  the  main  abamloned  th(>  ho[)e  of  drivin<;  back  the  invaders 
of  their  territory,  yet  thei'e  ai-e  still  some  who  cherish  the  thouj^dit.  ami 
stran;j:e  as  it  may  seem  it  is  a  fact  that  the  most  noted  leader  amonjj:  the 
Indians  advanced  such  a  proposition  to  the  writer  within  the  last  few- 
years.  They  lon^  stood,  and  mostly  still  stand,  in  the  position  of  unruly 
childi-en  to  indid^^ent  parents  for  whom  they  have  very  little  respect,  at 
times  wron*xly  indul'red  and  a^ain  unmercifully  punished. 


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(JKNKK'AL  XKI.SON   A.  .MII.KS. 


845 


(_'oiniii<;  down  to  our  direct  or  immivliiitc  ndutioiis  with  tliem  wr  Mnd 
tiiut  our  itoli<*y  has  he«Mi  to  uiaUo  tht'in  wards  of  the  nation,  to  he  idd 
uudei' (dose  imiitary  survcilhmce,  or  rise  to  make  them  [XMisiouers  Miiier 
no  ;>tiu'.;  restraint  than  Mie  iuthicnee  of  one  or  two  iudiviihials.  liuin^' 
nu''ei  tiie  ^'overument,  yet  without  any  ie^ntimate  ^(►venimcut.  w  ithout 
any  hiw  .tnd  withou*^  any  physical  power  to  control  them,  what  hetter  suh- 
jects  or  more  propitious  lields  could  he  found  for  vice  and  crime? 

'''e  nave  comiuitted  our  Indian  matters  to  the  custody  of  an  Indian 
bureau  whi(di  for  nuiny  y<'ai's  was  a  i)art  of  the  militai\y  estahlishment  of 
the  ^M)vernment;  hut  for  political  reasons  and  to  promote  party  interests, 
this  hureau  was  transferred  to  the  department  of  tiie  interior. 

Whetiu  or  not  our  system  of  Indian  mana'  ii.  ')t  ha.'^  lieen  a  success 
during'  the  past  ten,  fifty,  or  on<'  hundred  years  >  a  ost  answered  in  the 
askinjij.  ^I'hc  Indians,  the  fi'ontiei'smen.  the  ii  ;  •  /  si-uioned  in  the  West, 
and  the  readers  of  the  daily  news  in  all  par'^  .  f  in"  country  can  answer 
tinit  (piestion.  There  is  another  (piestion  tluvt  i  fiv«piently  asked:  VV'liy 
has  our  management  of  Indian  afVairs  l)een  \(  "  successful  than  that  of  our 
iiei^dd)ors  across  the  nortlu'rn  homulary?  anu  it  can  he  answered  in  a  few 
words.  Their  system  is  i)ermanent,  decided  and  just.  The  tide  of  immi- 
gratioi;  in  Canada  has  not  heen  as  <;reat  as  ah)n;^'  our  fi'ontier.  They  have 
l)een  aide  to  allow  the  Indians  to  live  as  Indians,  whi(di  we  have  not,  and 
do  not  attemi>t  to  force  u[»on  them  the  customs  whi(di  to  the»n  are 
distasteful.  In  our  own  manapMueut  it  has  all  the  time  heen  the  opinion 
of  a  very  lar*j;e  number  of  our  peoi»le  that  a  change  tor  the  hetter  wouM 
be  desiral)le.  We  have  the  sinj^qdar  and  renuirkable  jthenomenon  presenter 
of  the  traders,  the  contractors,  the  interested  otiicials  of  the  West,  and 
many  of  the  best  people  of  the  Kast.  advocating  one  s(dieme.  while  a  j?reat 
majority  of  frontier  settlers,  the  officers  of  tin*  army  of  long  expei'ience  on 
the  plains,  and  many  competent  judges  in  the  Kast.  advocated  another. 
The  ([uestion  has  at  the  same  time  been  one  of  too  grave  importance  to 
admit  interests  of  a  personal  or  partisan  nature.  It  is  one  of  credit  oi 
discredit  to  our  government,  and  of  vital  importance  to  our  people.  In 
order  that  peace  may  be  permanently  secured,  the  Indians  benefited,  and 
protection  assured  to  the  eytensive  settlements  scattered  over  a  greater 
area  than  the  whole  of  the  Atlantic  States,  it  is  believed  that  a  plan  could 
be  devised  which  would  enlist  the  hearty  approval  and  support  of  men  of 
.dl  parties.  The  object  is  surely  worthy  of  the  effort.  No  body  of  people 
\"hose  language,  religion,  and  customs  are  so  entii-ely  different  from  ours 
can  be  expected  to  cheerfully  and  suddenly  adopt  our  own.    The  change 


K  .li 


m 


i  t " 


ij 


PKliSOXAI.  UKCOr.LKCTIOXS  OF 


must  be  gradual,  continuous,  and  in  accordance  with  Nature's  laws.  The 
history  of  nearly  every  ra<.'e  that  luis  advanced  from  l)arl)arism  to  civiliza- 
tion has  been  throu^'h  the  stages  of  the  hunter,  the  herdsman,  the  Jigricul- 
turist,  and  has  finally  reached  those  of  commerce,  mechanics  and  the 
higher  arts. 

It  is  held,  first,  that  we,  as  a  generous  people  and  liberal  government, 
are  bound  to  give  to  the  Indians  the  same  rights  that  all  other  men  enjoy, 
and  if  we  de[)rive  them  of  their  ancient  i>rivileges  we  must  then  give  tliem 
the  best  government  possible.  Without  any  legitimate  government,  and 
in  a  section  of  ('ountry  wliere  the  lawless  are  under  very  little  restraint,  it 
is  useless  to  supi>()se  that  thousands  of  wild  savages  thoroughly  armed  and 
mounted  can  be  controlled  by  moral  suasion.  Even  if  they  were  in  the 
midst  of  comfortable  and  agreeable  surroundings,  yet  when  dissatisfaction 
is  increased  by  partial  imprisonment  and  (piickened  by  the  pangs  of 
hunger—  a  feeling  that  is  not  realized  by  one  man  in  ii  thousand  in  civilized 
life  —  it  requires  more  patience  and  forbearance  than  savage  natures  aie 
likely  to  possess  to  prevent  serious  outbreaks. 

The  experiment  of  making  a  police  force  composed  entirely  of  Indians 
is  a  (hingei-()us  one  unless  they  are  under  the  shadow  and  control  of  a 
superior  body  of  wliite  troops,  and.  if  carried  to  any  gi-eat  extent,  will 
result  in  rearming  tlie  Indians  and  work  disastrously  to  tlie  frontier  settle- 
ments. There  would  be  a  something  absurd  in  a  government  out  on  the 
remote  frontier  composed  of  a  strictly  nonconibatant  as  chief,  with  a 
jtos.sr  r())nlfnfiis  of  red  warriors,  undertaking  to  control  several  thousand 
wild  savfiges. 

The  advantage  of  placing  the  Indians  under  some  government  strong 
enough  to  control  th"in  and  just  enough  to  command  their  respect  i.s  too 
apparent  to  admit  of  argument.     The  results  to  be  ()l)tained  would  be: 

First.  They  would  be  beyond  the  p()ssil)ility  of  doing  harm,  and  the 
frontier  settlements  would  be  freed  from  their  terrifying  and  devastating 
presence. 

Second.  They  would  lie  under  officials  having  a  knowledge  of  the  Indian 
country  and  the  Indian  character. 

Third.  Their  supplies  and  annuities  would  be  disbursed  through  au 
efficient  system  of  regulations. 

Fourth.  Besides  being  amenable  to  the  civil  laws,  these  officers 
would  be  under  stiict  military  law.  subject  to  trial  and  punishment 
for  any  act  that  would  be  ''unbecoming  a  gentleman,  or  prejudicial  to 
good  order." 


(;knehal  nki.son  a.  mii-ks. 


347 


The 

liza- 

cul- 

the 

lent. 

hem 
,  and 
nt,  it 

I  and 

II  the 
ction 
^'s  of 
ili/ed 
es  aie 

ulians 
1  of  a 
L  will 
settle- 
on  the 
ith  a 
)nsand 

■strong 
is  too 
e: 

d  the 
tating 

ndian 

igli  an 

officers 

shnieut 

cial  to 


It  is  therefore  suggested  and  earnestly  recommended  that  a  system 
which  has  heretofore  proved  to  be  eminently  practicable  should  in  the 
next  emergency  receive  at  least  a  fair  trial.  As  the  government  has  in 
its  employ  men  who  by  long  and  faithful  service  have  establisluMl  reputa- 
tions for  integrity,  character  and  ability  which  cannot  be  disputed;  men 
who  have  commanded  armies,  reconstructed  States,  controlled  hundreds  of 
millions  of  public  property,  and  who  during  years  of  experience'  on  the 
frontier  have  opened  the  way  for  civilization  and  Christianity,  it  is  believed 
that  the  services  of  these  officials,  in  efforts  to  prevent  war  and  elevate 
the  Indian  race,  would  be  quite  as  judicious  as  their  empl(>yment  when 
inexperience  aiul  mismanagement  have  culminated  in  hostilities.  Allow- 
ing the  civilized  and  semi-civilized  Indians  to  remaiii  under  the  same 
supervision  as  at  present,  the  President  of  the  I'nited  States  should  have 
power  to  place  at  any  time  the  wild  and  nomadic  tribes  under  the  control 
of  the  War  Department.  Officers  of  known  character,  integrity  and  experi- 
ence, who  would  govern  them  and  be  interested  in  improving  their  condi- 
tion, should  be  placed  in  charge  of  the  different  tribes.  One  difiiculty  has 
been  that  they  have  been  managed  by  officials  tof)  far  away,  and  who  knew 
nothing  of  the  men  they  were  dealing  with.  The  Indians,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, should  be,  as  they  now  mostly  are,  localized  on  the  public  domain,  in 
sections  of  country  to  which  they  are  by  nature  adapted. 

The  forcing  of  strong,  hardy,  mountain  Indians  from  the  extreme 
North  to  the  warmer  malarial  districts  of  the  South  was  cruel,  and  the 
experiment  should  never  be  repeated. 

Every  effort  should  be  made  to  locate  the  Indians  by  families,  for  the 
ties  of  relationship  among  them  are  much  stronger  than  is  generally  sup- 
posed. By  this  means  the  Indians  will  become  independent  of  their  tribal 
relations,  and  will  not  be  found  «*ongregated  in  the  large  and  unsightly 
camps  that  are  now  usually  met  with  about  their  agencies. 

All  supplies,  annuities  and  disbursements  of  money  should  be  made 
under  the  same  system  of  accountability  that  now  regulates  army  dis- 
bursements. The  officers  in  charge  should  have  sufficient  force  to  preserve 
order,  patrol  reservations,  prevent  intrusions,  recover  stolen  property, 
arrest  the  lawless  and  those  who  take  refuge  in  Indian  camps  to  shield 
themselves  from  punishment  for  crime  or  with  the  object  of  enabling  them 
to  live  without  labor,  and  to  keep  the  Indians  upon  their  reservations  and 
within  the  limits  of  their  treaties.  The  officer  in  charge  would  be  enabled 
to  control  or  prevent  the  sale  of  ammunition,  as  well  as  to  suppress  the 
sale  of  intoxicating  liquors  among  the  Indians.     Many  thousands  of  the 


if  <' 


'"r 


ill: 


'iM. 


848 


I'KUSONAI,  HKCOI.F.KITIONS  OK  (iKNL   NKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


U't 


r'l-  ' 


liidiiiii  ponies,  iispfnl  (nily  tor  the  wsir  or  the  clmso.  sliould  be  Hold  and  the 
j)ro('c(Mls  usrd  in  the  piircliase  of  domestic  stock.  A  larj^c  pcM-ceiit- 
a^e  of  tlie  annual  appropriations  should  he  employed  in  the  purchase  of 
cattle  and  other  domestic  aiiiimils;  the  Indians  desire  them,  and  their 
reservations  even  now  support  nuiuy  thousands  of  them.  They  have 
already  reidaced  the  ItulTalo,  and  must  tinally  replace  the  elk,  the  deer  and 
the  antelope.  From  a  noniiidic  pastoral  people  the  Indians  should  he 
induced  to  become  a|;riculturists  and  tau^dit  the  use  of  machinery  as  a 
means  of  fjbtainin^  food.  The  step  from  the  lirst  ^rade  to  the  second 
would  be  easily  accomplished,  [)rovi(led  the  Indians  wei'e  directed  by  a 
tirm  hand.  As  they  accumulate  pro[)erty  and  learn  industry  there  have 
already  been  shown  strou}^'  incentives  to  their  renuiiniu}^  at  peace.namely : 
occupation,  the  fear  of  (rontiscation  of  pro[»erty.  aiul  the  loss  of  the  com- 
forts of  life. 

Two  more  important  measures  of  improvement  a»'e  also  needed,  and 
should  be  authori/(Ml  by  Congress. 

In  all  communiti(^s  there  will  be  found  disturbing  elements,  and  to 
meet  this  dilliculty.  courts  of  justice  should  be  instituted.  Frecpiently 
outbreaks  and  depredations  are  prompted  by  a  few  mischievous  charac- 
ters, which  could  easily  be  checked  by  a  i)ro[K'r  ^'(►vernment.  This  is  one 
secret  of  snccess  with  the  Canadian  system;  where  disturbances  occur,  the 
guilty  suiter,  and  not  whole  tribes,  including  innocent  women  and  children. 

As  a  remark  from  Sitting  Hull  has  been  (pioted,  we  will  now  repeat  the 
words  of  Joseph,  who  said  that  "the  greatest  want  of  the  Indian  is  a 
system  of  law  by  which  controversies  between  Indians  and  white  men  can 
be  settled  without  appealing  to  physical  force."  He  says  also  that  "the 
want  of  law  is  the  great  sonrce  of  disorder  among  Indians.  They  under- 
stand the  operation  of  laws,  and,  if  there  were  any  statutes,  the  Indians 
would  be  perfectly  content  to  place  themselves  in  the  hands  of  a  proper 
tribunal,  and  would  not  take  the  righting  of  their  wrongs  into  their  own 
hands,  or  retaliate,  as  they  do  now,  without  the  law." 

Do  we  need  a  savage  to  inform  us  of  the  necessity  that  has  existed  for 
a  century?  As  these  people  become  a  part  of  our  population,  they  should 
have  some  tribunal  where  they  could  obtain  protection  in  their  rights  of 
person  and  property.  A  dispute  as  to  the  rights  of  property  ))etween  an 
Indian  and  a  white  man  before  a  white  jury  might  not  be  decided  in  exact 
accordance  with  justice  in  some  localities.  Fortunately  our  Constitution 
provides  that  '"the  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  shall  be  vested  in 
one  Supreme  Court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as  Congress  may  from  time  to 


ed  for 
diould 
jhts  of 
:'en  an 
exact 
tut  ion 
;ted  ill 
inie  to 


Faces  of  Xotkd  Indians. 


1.  Spotted  Tail,  Sioux  Chief.  RoHelmd  Anenpy.  Pnkotn. 

2.  Iron  SViliK'.  Sioux  C'lilcf,  Rortclmd  AKeucy.  Dakota. 

8.  Aint'i-k-aii  Horse,  .Sioux  Chief,  I'iiie  Ritlge  AKeney. 
Dakota. 

4.  Red  Shirt,  .Sious  Chief.  I'ilie  Rid«e  A^eiu'v,  Dakota. 

5.  White  Katjle.  ri>iiea  Chief,  Indian  Territory. 

6.  Standint;  Buffalo,  I'onea  Chief.  Indian  Territory. 

7.  Poor  Wolf,  Maiuian  Chief,  Fort  Bertliold,  Dakiita. 

8.  Son-of-the-Star,    Arickaree    Chief,  Fort    Berthold, 

Dakota. 


ii.  White  Man.  Al)aeh'  llnef.  Indian  TeriitMjy. 
ht.  StunihliuK  Hear,  K  1^  wn  Clilef.  Indlai'  Ti  '  i  itory. 
11.  Tso-<le-»r-kii.  Wii  iii::i  Cl'ii'f.  Indian  ''    r  itory. 
I'J.  HiK  Horse.  Chev    iin  ■  riicf,  Didian  T.ir.  .ory. 
i:i.  Boll  Tail.  Ch.-ylhn^'  Chief,  Ii-.ili.ir,  Tcinmry. 
II.  Man-on-the-Clouil,  I'heyenne  Chief,  Indian  Territory, 
15.  Mad  Wolf,  Cheyenne  Ciiief.  Indian  Territory, 
m.  Little  Rayen,  .\'r,iiiahoe  Chief.  Indian  Territory. 
IT.  Yeno\v  Bear.  Arapahoe  Chief.  Indian  Territory. 


ill' 


'.:i,!:i 


i  .M 


1».  Left  Hand,  Arapahoe  Chief,  Indian  Territory, 


[!149] 


1^  i 


f   :  M 


'i  ih 
I  n! 


tli 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


time  ordain  and  establish;"  and  it  is  believed  that  Congress  has  power,  at 
least  in  the  Territories,  to  give  such  jurisdiction  either  to  the  military  courts, 
or  the  Territorial  courts,  or  both,  as  will  secure  justice  to  the  Indians  in  all 
disputes  arising  between  the  Indians  and  the  white  men. 

That  warriors  may  be  made  to  care  for  their  iiocks  and  herds  has  been 
demonstrated,  and  the  industry  of  the  Indians  that  is  now  wasted  may  be 
still  further  diverted  to  peaceful  and  useful  pursuits ;  yet  the  great  work 
of  reformation  must  l)e  mainly  through  the  youth  of  the  different  tribes. 
The  hope  of  every  race  is  in  the  rising  generation.  This  important  work 
seems  now  to  have  enlisted  the  sympathy  and  support  of  all  philanthropic 
and  Christian  people.  As  we  are  under  obligation  to  support  the  tribes 
until  they  become  self-sustaining,  it  is  undoubtedly  advisable  to  support 
as  many  as  possil)le  of  the  children  of  the  Indians  at  places  w^here  they 
would  l)e  the  least  expensive  to  the  government,  and  where  they  would  be 
under  the  best  influence.  The  children  must  not  be  exposed  to  the  degrad- 
ing influence  of  camp  life,  and  the  constant  moving  of  the  tribes  destroys 
the  best  efforts  of  instructors.  The  children  that  are  taught  the  English 
language,  habits  of  industry,  the  l^enehts  of  civilization,  the  power  of  the 
white  race,  after  a  few  years,  ret'U'u  to  their  people  with  some  education, 
with  more  intelligence,  and  with  their  ideas  of  life  entirely  changed  for 
the  better.  They  naturally  in  turn  become  the  educators  of  their  own 
people,  and  tlieir  influence  for  good  cannot  be  estimated.  Finally,  the 
Indians,  as  they  l)ecome  civilized  and  educated,  as  they  acquire  property  and 
pay  taxes  toward  the  support  of  the  government,  should  have  the  same 
rights  of  citizenship  that  all  other  men  enjoy. 

The  President  of  the  United  States  should  have  power  to  transfer  from 
the  War  Department  to  the  Interior  Department  any  tribe  that  shall 
become  so  far  civilized  and  peaceable  in  its  disposition  as  to  render  it 
unnecessary  to  keep  its  members  longer  under  the  control  of  the  military 
power. 

Whenever  an  emergency  arises  which  has  not  been  foreseen  and  pro- 
vided for  ])y  Congress,  such  as  faihire  or  destr action  of  their  crops,  the 
President  should  have  power,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  otlicei'  in 
charge  or  the  governors  of  the  different  Territories  in  which  the  Indians 
are  living,  to  order  the  necessary  supplies,  as  has  been  done  in  several 
instances  to  white  people,  in  order  to  prevent  great  suffering  or  a  serious 
disturliance  of  tlie  peace;  such  sui)plies  to  he  limited  to  the  smaP^st 
necessity,  and  ojily  until  sucii  time  as  Congress  could  take  action  on  the 
matter. 


i( 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


851 


r,  at 
urts, 
n  all 

been 
ly  be 
work 
ribes, 
work 
iropic 
tribes 
pport 
i  they 
lid  be 
jgrad- 
stroys 
nglish 
of  the 
lation, 
;ed  for 
r  own 
ly,  the 
ty  and 
3  same 

r  fi-om 
shall 
ider  it 
lilitary 

id  pro- 
ps, the 
cer  in 
ndians 
several 
serious 
maPest 
on  the 


A  race  of  savages  cannot  by  any  human  ingenuity  be  civilized  and 
Christianized  within  a  few  years  of  time,  neithei'  will  250,0(X)  people  with 
their  descendants  be  entirely  exterminated  in  the  next  Hfty  years.  The 
white  man  and  the  Indian  should  be  taught  to  live  side  by  side,  each 
respecting  the  rights  of  the  other,  and  both  living  under  wholesome  laws, 
enforced  by  ample  authority  and  with  exact  justice.  Such  a  government 
would  be  most  gratifying  and  beneficial  to  the  Indians,  while  those  men 
who  have  invested  their  capital,  and  with  wonderful  enterprise  are  devel- 
oping the  unparalleled  and  inexhaustible  wealth  that  for  ages  has  hiin 
dormant  in  the  western  mountains;  those  people  who  have  left  the  over- 
crowded centers  of  the  East,  and  whose  humble  homes  are  now  dotting 
the  plains  and  valleys  of  the  far  West,  as  well  as  those  men  who  are 
annually  called  upon  to  endure  greater  exposure  and  suffering  than  is 
required  by  the  troops  of  any  other  nation  on  the  globe,  would  hail  with 
great  satisfaction  any  system  that  would  secure  a  substantial  and  lasting 
peace. 


,;■■  » 

ii'i'i;  f 

"M  i; 


B I ; 


m 


m 

i; 


i 


^Vl- 


1. 


!;!'   ! 


I 


'.    I! 
I       '  i 


I'KI.'SONAI,   l.'Ki  OLLKCTION.^  OF 


''  i 


CI  I A  I'll  :i:  NXVM. 

.Iori:M:v    W  i,  -i  vva  iin. 

I'liuM'ii  IDS         rnoM        Ci.i.osri.        m       I'.i.k.  mh  i  i:  <m\i,i:>.i,       I'.i  lis  \is(.       or       .Il)|•|t^^,^•      Vi'kmi- 

UMili       Oiin.i\      or       l>issi-,ii       Tin;     Imli)    Siiki.i;^    i  kmm     (iiiii!(,i\        I' i;ii\i      l,\wi!i,s(i, 

AMI      1,1.  \  \i;s\Mili'l  (I     -'I  in;      l.'l.riiiiii      <is       Tin.      k'.ii.M       'liii;      'l'(i« ',      <i(-      Mus- 

1  \  ■.  \ — 'I'lir,     l<vsx\.i    ( !<>\|\iiMHiiiM,it.-'        AiiMMiiMi;     ('i.i\iv       ()vi.i;i.\M» 

( !ii\i  \ii\|(   \'i  ii,\         V'lci;      IS      ■iiii,      \'',\v.\.;      'Iimi,-'.        A      lll-i'mitn: 

'I'lfij;  —  'liii,    I'll;   '1    I.'mmimM)       'I  in;    l>i,'.  vi;i;  op  'I'iiD  \  v. 

AVIN<i  ItfMiii  siimrnoiH'd    lo    Wiisliiii^'lon    to    nH-.c/wi;    my  pioino- 

tioii    to  I.Im!    i;i,iiI<   of    \t\\</;i(\\(w-<iy.t\r.f:i\    in    NovfiiiilxfC,  ISSO,    I 

took  h'jiA*',  (»!'  IIm!  I''inii  I  iiit(!(i   Sl,;i,t<!s   Iiit';i,iil  ry   liy  IIm;  I'oliovv- 
iii;^  oi(l(!r : 

l''<>i:i     Kl.oi.il,   .MnsiANA,   Novi'iiihcr  ;.'0,    I  .SSO. 
(il'iM'-'l.'AI.  OlMU'ilfS. 
Ill    icIiiKinisliiii;.''   coiiiiiiiiii'l    III'    tlin  l''irtli    (.'.    S.     Inriiiitrv     tli''    n'L'iiiH'iiliil     (•(itiiiMiiii'Icr 
desires    to    m;iiiifeHt,    Imh    irriif,il.U'l<i    to    llm    ollieers   ;iiiil    sol'liers    oF    tins    (•oiiiiiiiiii'l     for    tlie 
■/,e;i|   iiml    loviilt.y  with  wliieh  every   duty    liiis    lieen  [lerforiMed,   however  <lillicidt    ;iri(|    lia/ 

IlldoMS.        lie    desires    idso    t  o  e  x  preSH   liis  il  |t[)reci!it  ion    lllld     (leluiosvleiltfeilieiit  1    of    tlie     most. 

\;i|ii;il)le    servii^es    of   this    coiiiiniiiid     Jiiid     the     f_';i  Ihi  lit  r  v    disphiyed     ill     iiionienls   of    i/reiit. 
d;iiioer. 

l''or  twenty  live    yeJiis  the    i''iftli    Iiifiililrv   hlis  served  coiit  ill  ilii  11  V   west  of  the   M  ississi  |i|ii 
I'iver  imd  rendered   most,  iinporliint  ser\  ice  in  the  eiunjiiiiirns  ii  ^.liiist,  the  I 'ten  iind  Apiiehes 
of    l,'t;ili!ind    \\'v"iiiin<_''.  'Ii'"    Niivajosof    New    Mexieo,  the    ( ,'o.iiaiielies,   Kiowiisiiiid  ("hev 
ennes  of   'Texas,   liiilian  'lerritorv,  (  lolorado    and    Kansas,  and  the    Sioiix,    Ne/     I'ercf's    and 
I'annocks  of    tlie   Northwest. 

I)nriiit^  liie,  past  eleven  \cars  the  nn<lersli_riied  has  been  in  eoininatid  <  f  this  reKunent,, 
and  in  that,  liiin-,  l)\  \<>t\'j  and  intimate  assooiat.ioi),  there  has  heen  eiiLfiidered  ii  feelinj^  of 
the  slronj^est  altaeliiiient  and  hiLrli'"^t  rei/ard. 

Kor  the  sMceess  that  has  attendeil  our  elTorts  the  ( 'omiiiand iii;/  ( )IIi(ter  fleslre.s  to  render 
to  the  ollicers  an<l  soldiers  of    this  command   their  full  share  of   credit. 

In  takint/  leave  of  a  command  in  which  he  has  id wiiys  felt  a  just  pride,  it  M(;casion,s  deep 
reirrel,  that,  in  the  e \ ii/ciii'ies  of  the  Hervicti  ;ind  the  various  chatit.''eH  incident  thereto,  we 
are   separated    in   clislatit   lields  of    <liity. 

I  ."^ii.nie(',.  I  N'i;(,so\  A.  .Mm.ks, 

(,'olonel    and    I'icmI     .Major  (ieiieral 

I  report.*'*)  in  Witsliin'^'toii,  vvlicre  I  r(!(riaiii(Ml  on  duty 'luriii;/  the  \viiit(!r 
of    IHSO  SI,  ;iti(l    Wits  tlicii   ii.s.sii^riicil   to   tlic    Dcpiirt  iiictit    of  t  li«!  ColuMil)ia. 


iiiifril, 

fflllltT 


iiil)ia. 


(.i';.\i'ii.'.\l,  M';i.>().\  A    MiiJ'is. 


:;:,:! 


Oil  my  v\;iy  lo  my  ii*'W  |»o:-l  of  diit  y.  I  |i;t— cd  t  liioii;.'li  I  Im-  cit  ic>  of  <  'liic;iu'o, 
St.  liCjiiis.  Kiiiisiis  rit>',  l)('ii\('i,  Siilt  l,;iK('  iiiid  Siin  l''i;iii('isc(),  .-toiiinn:.'  ii 
Tcvv  (Jii.ys  ill  ••;i<-li. 

in  tlii.s  joiifiicy  il  vv;is  my  isuml  fortune  to  \k\-^  t  Iii()Ii;_'Ii  :i)I  iiilcic-t  in;/ 
/oiinof  our  coniil  ly.  Jiml  to  :-(•(■  tlio  ido-jic  >  fluit  u;i^  hciii;.'  i;i|)i<lly  niinli' 
}i,l,  Unit  tiitKi  ill  the  ri\  ili/iit  ion  <»f  llic  <^i  iit  Wc-I.  It  v\()iiM  !»(•  iin|i<»v-ilile 
tf)  (lc-{'iil»(!  t  he  moriil,  intellect  ii;il  iind  indn-tii;i|  |»roLMe.-s  llnit  IiikI  llieii. 
iind  Ini-;  since,  iieeii  de\elo|»ed.  I  uonid  l»e  very  ;/liid  to  descril»e  ,^onie  ot 
the  |»iiiici|);i,l  towns  ;iiid  cities  tlnit  were  then  iiiid  ;ire  now  in  c(»ni-,-^e 
of  liipid  d<!velo|tiiieiit .  I»nt  tli'  v\;inl  of  time  mid  -puce  rendeiv^  it  im- 
|)Ossil)ji;. 

I  will  mention.  Iiowimci.  St.  i'liiil  and  M  iiineapolis.  those  twin  citie-  of 
rrnirvejoiis  eiitei|)iie.  of  ;/iea.t  indii.-t  lia  I  re-onrce.-.  t  he,  center  of  a,  vast, 
product  iv«;  rej/ion,  located  in-ar  the  iiia;_Miiliceiit  I'all.sof  Saint,  Ant  lioiiy 
on  the  iipp<!r  .Mississippi.  Tlie.-,e  two  ^'leat  citie>  were  for  years  rivals,  Init 
are  ;/radiially  j/rowin;.^  together  io  form  one  ;.Meat  commeivial  and  iiidns- 
t,rial  ccnt.er.  and  enihra.cin;.'  w  it  hin  their  lior<lers  tim  heaiitifnl  I'alls  of 
Miiimdiaha,  which  Loii;_d'ellow  lia.>  descrihed  in  c!a.•^,■-ic  ver.^e.  I  would  al~(» 
love  to  descrihc  ot  her  cit  ies,  like  Helena  and  iJiitte,  .Montana,  made  rich 
hy  the  iiiii;es(tf  marvfdoiis  v\ealtli  found  >tore(J  in  the  moiintains  in  the 
\'iciiiity  (tf  t  liese  t  wo  cit  ies. 

Omaha,  is  another  city  of  wonderful  |.'rovvtli,of  wcalt  h,  pro;.,'iess  and 
development,  and  the  center  of  one  of  the  richest,  a;_'iiciilt  iiral  districts  of 
the  I  iiitiul  Stales.  The  sa  me  can  he  said  of  Kansas  < 'ity.  ('olorado  ('ity 
is  noted  for  its  healthful  climate,  vvon(J<'rfiil  sprin^rs  ami  heaiitifnl  -ceiiers, 
and  Trinidad  for  its  iron  and  coal  mines  and  steel  wdiks;  hile  Ko- 
Ari;/c|es,  (la.lifornia,,  is  the  center  ■>\'  commerce  and  commiinic.it  ion  <if 
ISoiitherti  ( !a,litornia,. 

Portland,  Oregon;  Spokane,  \\'asliiii;_doir.  (iree|\,  (olorado;  and  Salt, 
Lake  ('ity,  I  tali,  are  a II  intere-^t in;/  and  fair  types  of  our  western  towns 
and  cities,  and  lia\e  ;/row  n  up  practically  within   the  la-t  thirty  yeaiv. 

I  will  pause  in  thi,-^  journey  west,  however,  loii;r  enoiiLdi  to  [.dve  some 
dr^script  ion  of  l)eii\er.  ('olorado,  which  is  a,  fair  \\\)i'  of  many  of  our 
niod(M"n,  typical  American  wc-tern  cities. 

Denver  is  the  c|ii<d'  city  (  f  one  of   the  laiL'cst    states   in  the    I   iii(*n,  and 
t.lie  center  of  the  Kocky  Moiintain  country.     ()ii  the  7tli  of  IVhriiary,  IS-^S, 
cij/lit    men    left,   their    lioiiie>   in    Oawson   ( 'oiint  \ .  Oeoiyia,   Ixmiid   for    the 
wild  l(0(d<y  Mountain  re;_'i(n;  in  search  of  v'old.     Tlie^e  dariii;/ explorer- 
wfio  mij/lit  have  sii^j/e.^ted  W'hittier's  Iteanlifnl  liiie>: 


l!:J:e 


$ 

1   i 


Mf 


354 


PEHSOXAL  HKCOLLiajTlONS  OF 


'in 


111 


"  I  liear  tlit*  tread  of  pioneers 
Of  nations  yet  to  be, 
Tlie  first  low  wash  of  waves  where  soon 
Shall  roll  a  hiunan  sea."— 

were  the  arauf-cour'u-rs  of  the  grand  army  that  presently  followed  to  par- 
ti<.'i[){ite  in  gleaning  the  precious  deposits  tliey  had  heen  the  hrst  to 
discover.  They  arrived  in  Kansas  early  in  May,  where  their  party  was 
increased  by  the  addition  of  ten  other  men. 

These  gold-seekers  left  Leavenworth  about  the  middle  of  May,  and 
crossed  the  Kansas  Hiver  at  Fort  Kiley,  striking  out  from  that  jioint  acro.s.s 
tiie  country  to  the  old  Santa  Fe  trail,  arriving  at  the  mouth  of  Cherry  Creek,, 
Colorado, on  the  2od  of  June,  IS-IS.  On  the  I'awnee  Fork.  Kansas,  a  party  of 
Cherokee  Indians  were  overtaken,  who  traveled  to  Cherry  Creek  in  com[)any 
with  them.  I'nsettled  as  to  future  proceeding,  the  Indians  remained 
at  (.'lierry  Creek,  while  the  others  hastened  to  Ralston  Creek,  vvliere  they 
hoped  to  find  the  treasure  of  which  they  were  in  pursuit.  Three  days  of 
anxious  search,  however,  brought  no  better  reward  than  a  very  meagre 
([uantity  of  gold  particles,  the  shadows,  so  to  sjx'ak,  of  the  substance  they 
were  seeking;  but  still  to  them  an  evidence  tiiat  gold  was  somewhere  in 
that  region,  and  with  what  courage  they  could  summon  they  resolved  to 
prospect  thoroughly, 

Ii'alston  Creek  lies  about  eight  miles  distant  from  the  mouth  of  Cherry 
Creek,  their  first  halting  place,  and  the  Cherokees  being  still  there  the 
company  decided  to  return  and  make  that  point  their  base  of  operations. 
To  do  this  they  recrossed  the  I'latte  liiver,  l)ut  found  upon  joining  them 
timt  the  Indians  had  determined  to  return  to  their  own  nation,  and  accord- 
ingly they  started  on  the  following  day,  leaving  the  explorers  with  the 
whole  range  of  mountains,  the  various  creeks  and  their  tributaries,  the 
canons  beyond,  and  the  plains  stretching  out  in  the  distance,  from  which 
to  choose  a  beginning  for  their  investigations. 

I'os.sessed  of  marked  constancy  to  a  purpose  OLce  formed,  the  leader  of 
the  company,  upon  observing  signs  of  discontent  among  some  of  his  com- 
panions, declared  firmly  his  purpose  to  i)rospect  the  country  even  if  he 
did  it  alone,  and  to  that  end  he  [U'oceeded  to  work  with  untiring  patience, 
closely  examiniiig  the  soil  in  every  direction.  Meanwhile  Lawrence, 
Kansas,  was  beinj.-  rv'«^'ir<'d  ')y  whispers  of  golden  sands  to  b(^  found  in  the 
water  around  Pike's  Tr-.k.  'i  wo  Delawan;  Indians,  Fall  Lcvif  and  Little 
Heaver,  brought  t'.e  --'^v.y  ^-ha^  gold  in  paying  (juantities  was  to  be  found 
in  those  strea  ms  UiiU    very  sweetly  a  « cmpany  was  organized  at  the  old 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


355 


Commerriiil  Motel  in  that  city  to  cross  the  desert  on  a  tour  of  discovery. 
Fall  Leaf  claimed  the  distinction  of  haviiij^  been  a  ^uide  to  Fremont  on 
one  of  his  explorinj^  expeditions,  and  as  in  Fremont's  report  mention  is 
made  of  two  Delaware  Indians,  "a  fine  lookii'j^  old  man  and  his  son." 
enj^a^ed  to  accompany  that  expedition  ?"•  iiiinters,  Fall  Leaf  and  Little 
lieaver  may  have  been  tiie  Indians  with  Fremont,  although  they  were  not 
so  designated  by  name  in  his  journril.  Fall  Leaf  contracted  to  guide  t!ie 
party  formed  at  the  (Jomniercial  Hotel  to  a  locality  where  gold  could  be 
found  near  Pike's  Fea'v.  He  was  to  n'ceive  Hve  dolhirs  per  day  for  such 
service  until  satisfactorily  performed;  buti)ending  the  delil)erati()ns  of  the 
party  lie  was  to  load,  a  fall  fi'om  his  horse  whihi  in  a  state  of  intoxication 
disabled  him,  upon  which  they  resolved  to  proceed  notwithstanding  and 
prosecute  their  investigation  without  a  guide.  On  May  22,  1S5S,  close 
upon  the  departure  of  the  company  from  Leavenworth,  this  Lawrence 
party,  numbering  forty-four,  two  of  whom  wei*;  women  accompanying 
their  husbands. started  from  Kansas  to  cross  the  plains  with  eleven  wagons 
and  provisions  for  six  mouths.  Fi'oni  their  coui's*;  oxer  the  Santa  Fe  trail 
the  traveler;  appi'oached  Pueblo,  and  having  joined  some  members  of 
the  Leavenworth  party  were  with  them  on  the  Otli  of  -July.  iSoS. 
encamped  u|»on  the  same  ground  in  the  (iarden  of  the  Llods,  where 
I^ong's  exp(Mlition  had  rested  thirty-eight  yeai's  before.  There  is  not  a 
ti-ace  of  the  Long  explorers  left  there,  wliile  the  pioneers  of  1S.")S  have 
gi'aven  upon  the  r^x'ks  a  record  of  their  presence,  an  interesting  testi  iio- 
nial  iiow^  |)lainly  visible.  Inside  one  of  the  gateways  on  the  gj-ea*"  sf^itiiuel 
stones  appear  the  names  of  several  of  the  i)ariy  '.v'th  the  year  "isr.h*'  cut 
beneath  them. 

Members  oF  ])oth  companies  had  [)rospectc  in  various  diiections  U^y 
the  treasure  sought  without  success,  until  it  s  toKJ  ^hem  one  dny  that 
those  who  had  remained  behind  were  washiu'  »m  the  sands  of  the  Platte 
River  about  three  dollars  a  day  to  the  man.  I'liis  news  reached  them  in 
September,  after  three  months' fruitless  qu<  and  they  hastened  to  the 
locality  where  fortune  smiled,  and  found  ^  .t  not  only  were  the  other 
members  from  the  Leavenworth  company  vashing  gold  fr(»m  the  sands, 
but  that  also  a  man  named  John  Hooker,  together  with  his  son,  had  coiue 
in  from  Salt  Lake  to  enjoy  a  like  prosperity.  The  staying  (pialiiies  of  the 
leader  of  the  Leavenworth  company  served  him  well.  Here,  within  a 
radius  of  ten  miles  from  the  point  where  he  first  stopped,  he  hayii  by  dint 
of  sheer  perseverance  found  in  the  sands  golden  returns  so  valuable  as  to 
induce  the  whole  party  to  l)ecome  settlers  on  »(  e  ground  and  hold  it  under 


;,.! 


;;SJ 


%\ 


■'      i 


r . 


!!1 


y:i. 


-lU 


■A  i    :! 


•  !l 


!     i  '' 


,l«i|j 


351) 


PEIJSON AF,   HKroLF.ECTlONS  OF 


the  title  of  >(iuiitter  sovereij^nit  v,  iiiul  to  found  a  town  which  they  numed 
^lontiiim. 

On  the  4th  of  ISeptembei*,  ISoS,  there  were  assenihled  at  this  point 
on  the  Phitte  Kiver,  some  live  miles  from  tlu  mouth  of  (.'herry  Creek,  por- 
tions of  the  Leavenworth  company  and  iif  the  I^awrence  company,  and  the 
.Mormon  family  consistinjjr  of  four  p.-rsoiis— ;..  colony  numbering'  a  little 
over  hfty.  Illustrative  of  the  American  clanacter  it  has  been  said  that  if 
a  dozen  were  ^nithered  anywhere,  even  at  the  most  distant  portion  of  the 
ylobe,  they  would  be  found  at  the  earliest  ])ossible  moment  framinjj;  a  con- 


,fl,    l',','    I         "     'it  ■11%  '.II  "«■  i', .      '  %   .V'V- «.iO'r    >'■■'■    ■ICJ"  '/;.,  ■'»■       1   f  «'"-.'     '<"     'ii   ■.,•••' I       ■'.•,",.■  "'.^li'"./?  V.   '/■'    i  ■'  '111   ■ 


■»V    *'!■..■.  ■-, 


An  Eaim.y   FiNiiiNc   in  ('uliikaiio. 

stitution  and  makin*;  laws  for  self-government.  True  to  the  instinct  of 
the  race  this  little  band  of  ]»ioneers  far  ))eyond  the  outposts  of  civilization 
were  makin<j^  this  their  first  care.  Montana,  on  llie  Platte  K^'ver,  burst 
abruptly  into  existence  froverned  by  a  code  (»f  law^  framed  In'  its  founders 
early  in  that  memorable  month  of  September.  IS.jS,  althoujzh  it  was  not 
initil  February  ').  1S")U,  that  a  charter  for  the  new  town  was  obtained  from 
the  legislature  of  Kansas. 

On  September  7.   l!S.jS,  William  McOaa.  who  subsecpiently  became  a 
local  celebrity  under  the  alias  of '"Jack  Jones,"  arrived  at  the  town  of 


i 


(iKXKKAL  NKLSON  A.   MILKS. 


:557 


me  a 
Ivn  of 


Montiina  in  conipany  with  foiirteoii  incii.  ('iiiMoiisly  enou^'h.  within 
twenty  days  fn.ni  its  actual  setth-nirnt  this  infant  town  was  found  too 
snuill  to  contain  its  ainhitious  inhiihitants.  and  part  of  thrin  ccniovcd  to 
tiie  east  sick'  of  CheiTy  Ci'cck  and  hiid  out  St.  Ciiarh's  on  the  i<h'ntical 
site  of  wliat  is  now  Denvci-.  radiant  iu  her  hcauty  and  prosperity.  Thirty- 
seven  days  aftci"  the  estahlishincnt  of  the  town  of  St.  Charh's  anothei'  town 
now  known  as  West  Denver  was  iocat<'d  on  the  h'ft  l»aul<  of  Cherry  Creek, 
Ine  names  of  one  huiuh'ed  men  beinir  ap|»eu(h'd  to  its  artich's  of  incorpo- 
ration. A  human  tide  may  he  said  to  ha\e  set  in  this  direction,  and  in  the 
latter  days  of  ()ctol)er  two  mendumts  ai'rived  with  ^'eiieral  stocks  of  ^oods 
and  were  soon  followed  hy  a  nund)er  of  others. 

Presently  the  advent  of  commissioners  from  Kansas,  delej^'ated  hy  tlie 
then  governor  of  that  Territory.  James  \V.  Denver,  to  locate  the  tract  under 
the  title  "Arapahoe  County,  Kansas, "attracted  attention.  These  function- 
aries arrived  on  the  1-th  of  November,  lsr)S.  and  on  the  Kith  they.  to<^erher 
with  others  Avhom  they  associated  with  themselves,  took  formal  possession 
of  St.  Charles  and  called  it  Denv<'r,  in  honor  of  Ww  (lovernor  of  Kansas."" 
and  without  loss  of  time  proceeded  to  ai'i'nuixe  hhxdvs  and  streets  in  the 
inci])ient  ''(^ueen  City  of  the  IMains."" 

In  ]\lay,  iSiV.I,  jjfold  was  found  in  lai'L  ■  ([uantities.  and  fi'om  that  time 
men  throntjred  into  that  vicinity  l»y  the  thousand.  On  the  hanks  of  the 
Platte  Rivei-,  t)utside  of  [)enver.  there  woro  lines  of  wagons  daily  waiting 
ferriage,  and  along  the  trail  to  the  gold  disti-ict  eagei*  crowds  jostled  each 
other  1)>  the  way:  a  motley  ccmcourse  of  travelers,  either  on  foot  or  going 
hy  any  conveyance  cai)able  of  l)eing  pressed  into  servic<v  Within  six- 
months,  and  a  few  days  aftei'  Kansas  bestowed  Ihm"  tii'st  otticial  notice  ujion 
this  se«.cionof  the  country,  so  impoi'tant  did  it  become  that  a  line  of 
coaches  was  established,  involving  an  e\])enditure  of  §S(lO  daily,  and 
spanning  the  i)lains  fi'om  Lea\euworth  to  Denver,  In  .lune.  IS.V.I.  Horace 
IJreeley  -rossedthe  plains  in  one  of  these  lunv  coa(dies.  and  u]»oii  his  arrival 
at  Denver  be^-ame  a  guest  at  its  <udy  hotel — the  Denvei'  House  a  log 
structure,  caiHi'\  as-ro(»feiil  and  earthen-tioon'd. 

As  Denvf  iitticrea:-*^!  in  size  and  imixtrtance  siie  also  increased  in 
depravity.  Th*^  «rilde(i  -aloon  of  vice,  dissi]>ation.  crime  and  initpiity  wel- 
comed its  votaries  amd  victims  with  open  doors,  and  every  stoi'e  in  town 

*  Tlif  nijin  wild  luisi  hi-  iiii'iiinfiii  I  in  rliis  l»>iiuiiful  cily  occuiiii-;  hni-illy  ii  imu'i'  iii  llic  lii~iivry  iif  Kiinsiis. 
Di'iiviM- WHS  iMii'n  ill  \'irKiiiiji  in  l"-!^.  Il>- iMninnilfd  m  <  nlifurnlii  in  IVnt.  ami  wms  ;i  mh'miIht  oI'  ('(inifi'i'ss  in  Is")). 
luiriiiLT  till'  Kiinsiis  tninMi's  in  l>-"i7  Ui'incr  was  CuniniissiiiniT  of  linlinn  AlTiiirs.  imii  in  iliiit  yciir  wiis  iniikln^'  ii 
visit  to  till' Indiim  trilics  in  K.insiis.  Tin' tlifii  (iovcrnor  Stinitiin  took  sotiic  otlici.il  iiction  not  a|i|n'ovi'<l  of  liy 
rrcsiilcnt  Bucliiiiiiiii.  iiiui  Kcnvcr  was  siutdi'iily  niiKif  Sccvrtiiry  iind  Aftiiijr  UoviTnor  in  SI  nil  Ion's  iiliicc.  He  wiis 
commissioned  ii  lirifiadifr-gi'iii'iiil  of  tin'  I'liion  fitrcps  in  IM'iI. 


',m 


PKUSONAL  KECOIJ.KCTIONS  OF 


carried  on  more  business  on  Sunday  tlian  npon  any  otlier  day  of  tlie  week. 
On  this  day  the  miners  left  their  chiims  and  j^'athered  in  the  town;  to  all 
it  was  a  ^ala  day.  Drunkenness,  brawls  and  street  lights  became  the 
standard  amusement,  and  murder  lifted  its  arm  and  smote  the  peace  and 
order  of  the  community.  Finally  civilization  brought  thither  a  better 
element,  and  sobriety,  peace,  order  and  prosperity  gradually  arose  from 
chaos  and  bloodshed.  Refinement  appeared  with  the  wives  and  daugliters 
of  the  pioneers,  and  they  came  like  angels  bringing  the  blessings  of  home 


.-  i-  U' 


I'l.ACKK    :\liMNi;    IN    1858. 

to  cover  the  debris  and  asliies  of  vice  and  crime.  The  schoolhouse,  the 
courthouse,  the  chimes  and  the  workshop  displaced  the  revelry  of  the 
dancehouseandthe  gambling  saloon.  Of  course  there  was  still  abroad  line 
between  the  law-abiding  community  and  the  turmoil  of  vice,  drunken- 
ness and  wanton  lawlessness.  The  violence  of  the  bad  was  checked  by 
the  violence  of  the  good.  The  long  outspreading  limb  of  the  hi?  toric 
Cottonwood  that  grew  l)y  the  side  of  the  stream  beneath  the  shadow  of 
the  sentinel  peaks  of  the  snowy  range,  had  much  to  do  as  a  civilizing 
agent  with  the  peace  and  order  of  the  community,  and  the  perturbed 


se,  the 
,f  the 

lid  line 

iinke  li- 
ed l)y 
iftoric 

dow  of 
iliziiig 
tur])ed 


GEN'EHAL  NELSON  A.  MII-ES. 


:i.V.i 


spirits  of  many  outhivvs  whodan^'h^d  from  the  hoiij^di  still  haunt  tliesiiixn- 
stitious  vvlio  dwell  hard  by.  Such  was  Denver  in  the  early  days  of  the 
pioneer  and  liard-workin^  and  iiard-driidviu^'  miner,  and  such  slie  became 
when  civilization  had  uprooted  the  ^Muirled  and  twisted  j^'rowth  whose 
roots  had  tirst  struck  into  the  vir^'in  soil. 

The  Denver  of  to-day  is  a  familiar  hjzure.  Steam  has  annihilated  sjiace 
and  it  lies  at  our  doors.  It  is  a  l)eautifu'  iiihmd  city  of  trade  and  com- 
merce, the  commercial  and  [lolitical  center  of  tlie  rich  State  of  Colorado. 
It  is  situated  about  one  mile  above  sea  level,  and  covers  an  area  of  neaily 
ten  miles  north  and  south  and  six  miles  east  and  west.  On  the  east  the 
plains  descend  gradually  to  the  Missouri  River,  a  distance  of  near  six 
hundred  miles.  The  foot-hills,  which  run  nearly  north  and  south  through 
the  State,  bej^in  to  rise  about  hfteen  miles  west  of  the  city  and  t^n-adually 
f?row  more  abrupt  until  blended  into  the  snowy  ran<^'e  hfty  miles  distant. 
Over  two  hundred  miles  of  this  mountain  ranj^^e  and  Foot-hills  can  be  seen 
from  Denver,  forming  a  grand  panoramic  view.  Probably  the  residents  of 
no  other  city  in  the  world  enjoy  such  a  continual  feast  of  ever-changing 
shade  and  color;  rocks,  trees.  ])lains  and  mountains  of  perpetual  snow. 
The  Platte  liiver  runs  through  the  center  of  the  city  from  south  to  north, 
toward  which  on  either  side  the  surface  gradually  declines,  aitording  a 
most  perfect  system  of  both  surface  and  sanitary  drainage.  Following  the 
banks  of  the  river  on  either  side  are  the  railroad  tiacks.  atTording  anii»le 
trackage  for  large  manufactories,  stockyards,  packing  houses,  stoi-ehouses 
and  depots.  To  the  east  of  these  the  wholesale  hcuises  are  chiefly  locat<Ml. 
Hordering  on  these  are  the  princi[)al  retail  houses,  and  to  the  east  and 
west  the  residences.  The  more  i)retentious  and  expensive  residences  are 
located  on  what  is  known  as  Capitol  Hill.  The  Highlands  on  the  w(\st 
of  the  river  are  by  many  considered  a  very  heiilthy  ;nid  attractive  part  of 
the  city;  while  South  Denver,  a  level  plateau  lying  al»out  one  hundred  feet 
above  the  river,  contains  a  large  number  of  line  residences. 

Probal)ly  no  city  in  the  I'nion  is  so  thoroughly  cosmopolitan.  This 
may  be  attributed  to  the  fact  that  it  is  a  new  city,  in  which  live  l»ut  few 
people  who  were  born  and  who  have  grown  to  manhood  within  her  limits. 
Every  nation  upon  the  globe  has  conti'ibuted  to  her  po})ulation.  Every 
country  has  been  drawn  upon  for  desirable  improvements  and  customs. 
The  soil  upon  which  the  city  is  built  is  a  sandy  loam,  therefore  diy  and 
healthy,  affording  most  jierfect  natural  streets  except  in  the  center  of  the 
city,  where  they  are  paved  with  as[)halt  or  block  stone.  It  is  preeminently 
a  citv  of  Lomes.     The  laborer,  the  artisan,  the  manufacturer,  the  princely 

M— -'1 


i.i 


I  i 


:j()0 


PKi;S()\Af<  l{KC()LLK("ri()NS  OF 


i'-l 


'it- 


\  i  I 


nieiTluint,  tho  ranch-owner  untl  tlie  honanza-niiner  all  nsnally  own  their 
homes.  A  condition  whicli  lias  hir^'ely  contributed  to  this  end.  especially 
anion^  the  middle  classes,  is  the  many  stron<,'  and  well-conducted  huildin;/ 
associations.  Owinj^  to  the  tire  limits  extending  well  out  into  the  suhurhs, 
all  houses  are  Imilt  of  lirei)roof  materiivl,  either  brick  or  ston<',  both  of  which 
are  furnished  in  a  great  variety  of  coior  and  conil)ination.  The  variety  of 
architecture  and  its  pleasing  elTect  is  ji  notable  feature.  Surrounding 
most  residences  are  spacious  and  beautifully-kept  lawns.  It  is  said  that  no 
city  of  its  size  in  the  I'nited  States  has  such  magniticent  and  attractive 
public  buildings.  The  capitol.  costing  .S"2,(K)I),00().  was  built  entirely  of 
Colorado  nuiterials  by  Colorado  w(»rkmen. 

It  has  been  shown  that  the  summer  clinnite  is  e([ual  to  that  of  the 
nori.ufc;n  lakes  and  of  Maine  on  the  Kastern  coast.  Denver  has  more  sun- 
shine, less  wind,  a  dryrr  air  and  a  temi»erature  allowing  more  constant 
outdoor  life  than  any  other  city  in  the  country  api>roacliing  it  in  size.  In 
a  period  of  thirteen  years  there  were  but  thirty-two  (hiys  in  which  the  sun 
was  not  visible.  The  population  of  Denvei- has  so  far  doubled  every  five 
years,  and  as  the  number  of  people  within  her  limits  in  ISDO  is  lOd.OOO.  it 
is  predicted  that  at  the  beginning  of  the  next  century  the  population  will 
be  :{-20,(l(HK 

The  tii'st  rtilroad  to  reach  Denver  was  the  Kansas  i'acitic.  nowa  branch 
of  the  Cnion  PaciHc.  in  ISTO.  at  which  time  the  city  had  a  population  of 
less  than  hSM).  To-day  Denver  is  the  terminal  of  eight  trunk  lines,  which 
carry  freight  to  and  fro  over  •JS.ddO  mile;;  of  ti'ack.  passing  throegli  a 
counti'y  but  partially  settled,  but  each  y(>ar  adding  t(»  its  poi)ulat  ion  and  to 
the  variety  and  volume  of  its  tonnage.  The  city  is  regarded  by  I'ailroad 
men  as  the  strategic  point  \vhi<'h  will  eventually  regulate  a  vast  interior 
I)nsiness.  as  it  is  a  geographical  as  well  as  a  commercial  and  nuinufactur- 
ing  center. 

It  is  claimed  that  the  street  car  service  here  is  the  niost  i)erfect  in  the 
world.  The  system  embraces  one  hundred  and  eighty-one  miles,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-tive  of  whicli  are  electric.  Transfers  are  given  from 
line  to  line  so  that  one  can  ride  from  any  part  of  the  city  to  his  destination 
foi-  five  cents.  The  system  of  the  Denver  Union  Water  Company  supplies 
the  city  and  adjacent  suburbs,  all  being  furnished  from  the  same 
source.  It  has  about  four  lumdred  and  tifty  miles  of  mains  and  con- 
duits, varying  in  size  from  six  to  forty-four  inches  in  diameter.  Attached 
to  tlie  mains  are  twenty  thousand  service  pipes  supplying  water  for 
domestic  purposes. 


tlioir 
•iully 

mrlts, 
\\\'\v\\ 


L^tV 


H( 


tr 


lin 
t  iio 
•tivo 
Iv  of 


el.V 


f  tl\e 


() 


re  siiu- 


/e. 


tant 
In 
the  sun 
M-y  live 
0.iM)(».  it 
11 


iou  \vi 


hvtnu'h 

;iti()u  of 
hich 


roe 


bu'.im 


I  to 


rai 


I  road 
interior 
liufactev- 


't  in 


tlie 


iik's.  one 

:en  from 

Istinatiou 


su 


ppl 


les 


the  same 

and  con- 

Uttached 

rater    for 


(;knki{.\i.  nkkson  a.  milks. 


361 


Denver's  scliool  hnildiii^'s  and  school  ^>st«'m  are  the  pride  and  hoast  of 
her  peo]>le.  I Mstiii^niishrd  educators  from  tlu»  east  are  Mlled  with  surprise 
and  admiration  for  Ix 
which  is  valued  at  t hree-fonrths  of  a  million  dollars.  There  are  Mfty 
jxraded  schoitl  hiiildinfxsand  twenty-one  misccllaiieoiis  private  and  sectarian 


'I'hcre  are  three  hi^di  sciund   Imildiii^'s.  one  of 


schools.     'I'here  ai'e  also  eleven  academics  and  college 


Thei 


('  are  iiinc! 


piihlic  and  private  lihraries.  and  four  daily  and  seventy  weekly,  monthly  or 
(piai'tei'ly  [)apers.  Tliere  ar<' also  one  Imndred  and  thirty-three  orj^anized 
clmrches. 

The  eity  has  six  national  hanks.  whos«>  total  resonrces  Jannary  1.  ISI)'), 
were  nearly  $-j:),(HMMMM).  The  dei>osits  a<r^ne<rate  over  S17.(MKM>0(I.  They 
have  a  total  snr|)liisof  iisT'JO.IKMI.  iiiul  the  capital  stock  paid  in  is  .S4,10(MK)(I. 
h'eal  estate  transactions  in  JSlll  were  fairly  satisfactory  ami  show  a  health- 
fnl  inciease  over  those  of  |S',i:|.  iind  were  far  in  advance  of  those  of  any 
(»tlier  city  of  her  class.  The  a<.r^ri"c^Mte  transfers  for  the  year  rank  sixth  in 
volnme  of  the  cities  of  the  I  nited  States.  The  statistics  showing  the 
commercial  and  manufacturing  industries  are  ecjually  remarkable. 


^, 


^^,^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


1.4 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


1 


\ 


5V 


\\ 


« 


•^X^"^ 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)  873-4S03 


a62 


PEKSONAI.  HECOLLE'^TIONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XXVTTT. 
Salt  Lake  City  and  tup:  Mormons, 

Joseph  Smith  —  Thk  Mohmonh  in  Nkw  YoriK.  Ohio,  ^FIs.sl)|•Kl  and  Illinois  —  Thk  Kxodis 
Ackosh  thk  Wilih'.hnkss  —  Salt  liAKK — MitHiUAM   Yoim;,  His  ("hak- 

A("TKI{    AMI    \V<tKK  —  Sa  LT    LaKK   ("iTY    Now. 

ALT  LAKE  CITY  was  founded  by  i\w  Mormons  under  Hrij?- 
ham  Youuf^  in  1S47,  and  in  tiiis  iirief  statement  is  embodied 
one  of  the  stninj^est  stories  in  the  annals  of  American  civili- 
zation. The  Mormons,  or,  as  they  call  themselves,  the 
"Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-Day  Saints,"  form  a  religious 
sect  founded  ))y  one  .Joseph  Smith,  whose  story  is  so  well 
known  as  to  make  it  unnecessary  to  more  than  barely  outline 
it  here.  Smith  was  born  in  Vermont,  but  while  a  child 
removed  with  his  parents  to  tiie  State  of  New  York,  He 
claimed  that  an  auj^ol  appeared  to  him  and  informed  him  that  he  was  the 
instrument  chosen  to  inaugurate  a  new  gospel.  lie  accepted  the  mission 
a!id  soon  collected  quite  a  number  of  followers.  These,  on  account  of  the 
prejudice  against  them  were  obliged  to  move  to  Ohio.  I^ater  a  colony  was 
established  in  Missouri  which  grew  rapidly.  About  this  time  a  body  of 
"apostles"  was  instituted  within  the  church,  and  nmong  the  number  of 
these  was  Hrigham  Young,  who  had  become  a  convert  to  the  new  faith  in 
18-52,  and  had  already  shovvn  himself  a  man  of  wonderful  sagacity  and 
for(;e  of  chai'acter. 

in  ls:{S  the  whole  body  of  the  so-called  "saints,"  some  fifteen  thousand 
in  number,  moved  to  Illinois.  H<>re  their  welcome  was  no  more  cordial 
than  it  had  been  in  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  before  long  Smith  and 
his  brother  found  themselves  in  jail.  Fearing  that  the  prisoners  might  be 
allowed  to  escape,  a  baud  of  excited  men  broke  into  the  jail  and  killed 
both  of  them.  Brigham  Young  was  then  elected  as  Smith's  successor,  and 
as  the  hostility  against  them  did  not  abate,  the  .Mormons,  under  his  guid- 
ance, all  started  for  the  West.  They  stopped  for  a  year  in  Iowa,  and  then 
under  the  strictest  discipline  marched  across  the  wilderness  to  the  (Ireat 
Salt  Lake. 


.  1 


»    V 


i  -i  n 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


3G3 


(>l>^^^ 


K)died 
civili- 
s,  the 
li^ious 
()  well 
[)utline 

.   cbiUl 
He 
vas  the 
nission 
of  the 
11  y  was 
)ody  of 
iber  of 
aith  in 
ity  and 

liousand 
cordial 
lith  and 
li^dit  Itc 
li  killed 
Isor.  and 
lis  ^nid- 
Ind  then 
le  (Jreat 


The  first  reference  to  this  lake  is  found  in  a  hook  of  American  travels 
in  1689;  but  it  was  first  explored  and  described  by  John  C.  Fremont  in 
1842.  It  lies  in  a  great  valley  of  the  Kocky  Mountains  and  measures 
nearly  one  hundred  miles  in  length  by  a  little  less  than  fifty  in  breadth, 
and  its  waters  are  very  shallow.  Near  its  center  lie  a  group  of  islands, 
upon  some  of  which  are  found  springs  of  i)ure,  fresh  water,  although  the 
waters  of  the  lake  are  of  so  saline  a  character  that  from  seven  quarts 
boiled  down  there  can  be  extracted 
one  quart  of  pure  salt.  Yet  into  this 
lake  rivers  of  fresh  water  are 
pouring  continually ;  fron) 
the  south  the  fresh  waters  of 
Utah  Lake  find  their 
way  into  it  through  the 
channel  of  the  Jordan.  ■; 

while  from  the  north  it 
receives  the  water  of  v^ 
the  Bear  River,  a  swift 
mountain  stream. 
There  is  no  visible  out- 
let, and  its  superfluity 
of  water  is  supposed  to 
be  evap.'i rated,  but  there 
are  many  who  believe 
in  the  existence  of  a 
subterranean  passage- 
way having  an  outlet 
at  some  undiscovered 
point. 

Geologists  declare  that  at  a  remote 
period  a  vast  sheet  of  water  filled  a  far 
greater  area  than  that  now  occupied   by 

the  Great  Salt  Lake.  In  the  mighty  intervals  of  time,  as  indefinite  as 
the  geological  periods,  certain  changes  in  the  rainfall  caused  the  waters 
to  evaporate  to  the  present  size  of  the  existing  lake.  This  theory  is  con- 
firmed by  the  various  terraces  running  in  long  parallel  lines  on  the  sides 
of  the  surrounding  Wasatch  Mountains.  These  terraces  mark  off  the  vari- 
ous intervals  at  which  the  waters  remained  stationary  for  a  while  in 
their  gradual   lessening  of  volume.     Another  remarkable  property  of  the 


BnUlltAM     VolNC. 


II' 


364 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


water  is  its  density.     It  is  next  to  impossible  to  sink  to  the  bottom,  for 
one  can  float  upon  the  surface  with  the  greatest  ease. 

The  so-called  "  Prophet,"  Brigham  Young,  declared  that  the  site  of  the 
forthcoming  ^ity  was  indicated  to  him  in  a  vision  by  an  angel  who,  stand- 
ing on  a  conical  hill,  pointed  out  to  him  the  locality  where  the  new  temple 
must  be  built.  Upon  the  entry  of  the  Mormon  pioneers  into  the  Salt  Lake 
Basin  he  beheld  the  identical  mountain  he  had  seen  in  the  vision,  with  a 
stream  of  fresh  water  flowing  at  its  base.  The  I'rophet  immediately  com- 
manded bis  followers  to  halt  and  pitch  their  permanent  tents,  as  they  had 

finally  arrived  at  the  site  of  the 
,  /        ■  city  of  the  New  Jerusalem.    He 

immediately  named  the  moun- 
tain Ensign 
Peak  and 
the  stream 
at  its  base 
City  Creek. 
Another 
larger 
stream  of 
fresh  water 
he   n  a  ni  e  d 


after  the  old  historical  stream 
,  of  the  Jews,  the  Jordan. 
Here  the  people  were  com- 
manded to  "wash"  as  of  old. 
When  the  Mormons  ar- 
rived in  the  valley  in  July, 
1847,  the  Territory  belonged  to  Mexico,  but  the  next  year  it  became, 
together  with  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  the  whole  of  upper  California,  a 
portion  of  the  domain  of  the  United  States.  This  was  a  severe  l)low  to 
the  designs  of  the  Prophet. 

With  the  Mexican  government  Brigham  Young  could,  in  his  remote 
fastnesses,  negotiate  his  own  terms  and  secure  for  himself  and  his  followers 
all  the  concessions  necessary  for  their  temporal  as  well  as  their  peculiar 
spiritual  welfare.  Here  they  could  revel  in  polygamy  and  indulge  in  all 
the  doctrines  declared  to  be  a  part  of  their  faith.  But  suddenly  the  war 
with  Mexico  closed,  and,  as  if  to  overthrow  their  schemes  in  this  remote 
section,  the  territory  on  which  they  had  already  begun  the  erection  of 


Tm;  Miii!M(i\  Ivmidis. 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


3(>5 


,  for 

I  the 
tand- 
mple 
Lake 
ith  a 
com- 
y  had 
(jf  the 
ii.    lie 
noun- 

and 

itreaiu 

s  base 

Creek. 

i  t  h  e  r 
g  e  r 

a  ni    of 
water 

I  a  in  e  d 

stream 
ordan. 
e  com- 
ofold. 

ons  ar- 
n  J-aiy, 
ecame, 
)rnia,  a 
low  to 

remote 
lowers 
eculiar 
in  all 
he  war 
remote 
ction  of 


their  temple  became  the  property  of  the  federal  government.  Still,  not 
to  be  defeated  in  his  original  enterprise,  the  Prophet  laid  claim  to  every- 
thing. Under  a  system  of  law  enacted  by  themselves,  and  in  the  ai)sence 
of  federal  legislation  and  the  per-sons  and  jmwers  to  enforce  it.  all  this 
basin  and  nearly  every  arable  acre  of  soil  in  the  Territory  was  seized  and 
apportioned  to  their  own  uses.  Sparse  and  distant  settlements  were  created 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  maintaining  their  hold  upon  the  lands  they  had 
taken  possession  of.  and  the  authority  of  the  church,  through  its  great 
high  priest,  was  extended  in  all  directions.  Not  an  acre  of  land  should 
ever  be  in  such  condition  as  to  be  converted  to  the  use  or  benefit  of  the 
Gentile  element.  All  that  in  the  way  of  business  would  tend  to  attract 
them  thither  should  be  avoided.  Under  the  operations  of  this  rule  mining 
for  the  precious  metals  was  prohibited  under  penalty  of  the  "anger  of 
God."  Young  declared  publicly  that  none  of  the  vast  luineral  wealth  of 
the  Territory  should  be  disclosed  until  the  Lord,  through  him  as  His  vicar, 
should  so  order.  While  great  mineral  wealth  lay  at  their  doors  and  a 
mighty  industry  might  have  been  establisluHl.  they  were  not  permitted  to 
turn  a  spadeful  of  earth  save  in  the  way  of  cultivating  the  soil.  These 
mines  of  gold  and  silver  were  to  be  kept  a  secret  from  the  outer  world  so 
as  to  prevent  an  accretion  of  Gentile  population.  The  i)eculiar  people 
were  sealed  within  themselves  in  their  mountain  walls,  and  the  Gentile 
was  almost  an  absolute  stranger  within  their  gates  until  the  advent  of 
Johnston's  army  in  1S57.  Along  with  that  came  the  mail  and  express,  and 
the  telegraph  soon  followed.  But  not  until  Genera!  Conner  came  with  his 
California  regiment  of  miners  and  mountain  prosi>e('tors  was  Utah's  vast 
mineral  wealth  made  known  to  the  world.  Then  followed  a  greater  iuHux  of 
the  Gentile  element.  ButBrigham  Young,  as  the  high  priest  of  the  church, 
still  maintained  his  absolute  sway  over  his  people.  contr(>lling  and  direct- 
ing every  movement  of  their  lives  in  all  their  social,  religious  and  business 
relations.  The  government  of  the  Mormons  was  thus  a  pure  pseudo- 
theocracy,  controlled  by  the  will  of  one  man. 

Few  men  of  the  present  century  have  attracted  more  notice  from 
writers  of  all  creeds,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  than  Brigham  Young.  He 
was  born  of  humble  parentage  in  Vermont  in  lS(n.  His  education  in  the 
schools  was  limited,  according  to  his  own  statement,  to  eleven  and  a  half 
days.  He  learned  in  early  life  the  trade  of  a  painter  and  glazier.  He 
joined  the  Mormon  church  in  1S32.  and  journeyed  with  them  to  Ohio, 
Missouri  and  Illinois.  By  simple  force  of  character  and  intellect  he 
reacLid  the  highest  pinnacle  of  power  in  the  Mormon  Church  and  State. 


>.v  'wnRUdn^^MBSk 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


He  was  not  only  a  man  of  great  force  of  character,  but  was  also  pos- 
sessed of  great  executive  ability.  To  his  clear  judgment,  firmness  of 
decision,  inflexible  will,  unceasing  industry,  power  of  government  and 
ability  to  control  men,  directness  of  purpose  and  a  self-sustaining  individ- 
uality that  overpowered  all  opposition,  the  Mormon  Church  owes  much  of 
the  prosperity  that  attended  its  lodgment  in  the  then  sterile  valleys  of 
these  mountains.  Had  it  not  been  for  him  and  his  ability  to  command, 
the  multitude  of  his  followers  would  have  fled  before  the  disasters  and 
threatened  starvation  that  assailed  them  in  the  early  days  of  their  entry 
into  the  valley. 

While  he  directed  their  spiritual  faith  and  by  pretended  "visions"  and 
"dreams"  pointed  out  "the  will  of  the  Lord."  he  superintended  all  the 
great  labor  of  laying  out  and  building  the  city  of  Zion.  Ail  plans  were 
submitted  first  to  his  inspection  before  a  stake  was  driven.  As  time  went 
on  and  privations  ceased,  and  the  city  had  grown  great  and  prosperous, 
and  Mormon  immigrants  began  pouring  in  from  all  parts  of  the  world, 
personally  he  superintended  their  movements  and  established  the  various 
settlements  throughout  the  Territory.  When  the  lines  of  telegraph  were 
laid  it  was  by  Young's  contract  with  the  company,  sublet  to  others.  When 
the  roads  were  built  for  the  mail  and  express  companies  it  was  by  his 
order,  and  it  was  through  him  that  the  great  trans-continental  railroad 
entered  his  domain. 

A  late  writer,  an  apostate  from  the  Mormon  faith,  speaking  of  the  abso- 
lute power  of  Young  over  the  lives  and  property  of  his  people,  says:  "No 
one  to-day,  even  in  Utah,  can  form  any  idea  of  the  thorough  control  that 
Young  exercised  over  the  people.  Nothing  was  ever  undertaken  without 
his  permission.  He  kneAv  of  everything.  No  pei-son  could  enter  into  busi- 
ness without  consulting  him,  nor  would  any  one  ever  think  of  leaving  the 
city  to  reside  in  any  other  part  of  the  country  without  having  his  approval. 
Merchants  who  went  east  or  west  to  purchase  goods  had  to  present  them- 
selves at  his  office  and  report  their  intention  of  going  to  the  States  at  such 
a  time,  if  he  had  'lo  contrary  orders  to  give  them.  He  claimed  that  no 
Saint  should  do  anything  without  his  knowledge  and  approval." 

He  claimed  the  power  of  performing  miracles,  foretelling  events  and 
doing  other  strange  and  wonderful  things.  It  is  said  that  he  rarely  made 
a  prophecy  or  prediction  that  it  did  not  come  true.  By  the  exercise  of 
most  adroit  cunning  he  usually  succeeded  in  making  his  predictions  and 
prophecies  seem  inspired.  He  was  very  intelligent  and  with  intelligent 
people  he  would  make  a  prediction  something  like  this:    "  You  will  have 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


367 


pos- 
ss  of 
:  and 
livid- 
ch  of 
■ys  of 
iiand, 
s  a^id 
entry 

"  and 
ill  the 
s  were 
B  went 
^lerous, 
world, 
various 
li  were 
When 
by  his 
ailroad 

le  abso- 
"No 
lol  that 
vithout 
to  busi- 
|ing  the 
iproval. 
them- 
at  such 
:hat  no 

bt^  and 
Jy  laade 
Ircise  of 
)ns  and 
lelligent 
111  have 


a  successful  journey.  You  will  enjoy  your  trii»  and  will  all  return  to  your 
homes  in  good  health."  When  asked  if  he  intended  this  as  a  prophecy  he 
would  reply:  "  You  can  call  it  whatever  you  please.  I  make  the  predic- 
tion." With  his  own  peoj)le  it  was  (piite  different,  for  he  knew  they 
would  believe  whatever  he  told  them.  Near  the  close  (»f  a  very  severe 
winter  that  had  caused  much  suffering  he  hai)pened  to  be  down  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  Territory.  While  there  he  noticed  a  warm  breeze  and 
the  appearance  of  birds  whose  coming  usually  preceded  the  opening  of 
spring.  Making  as  rapid  a  journey  as  possible,  he  hurried  back  to  Salt  Lake, 
went  into  the  Tabernacle  and  proclaimed  that  the  Lord  was  about  to  put 
an  end  to  the  terrible  winter.  He  told  them  there  would  be  an  early 
spring,  the  sun  would  shine,  the  snow  would  disai)pear:  the  face  of  the 
Lord  was  again  turned  toward  his  chosen  people, and  that  he  would  breathe 
upon  them  the  blessings  of  life.  All  this  would  hai)pen  very  soon.  Nat- 
urally this  prophecy  came  true. 

Another  story  is  told  of  him  illustrative  of  his  shrewdness.  One  of  his 
followers  had  been  unfortunate  enough  to  lose  a  leg  and  was  o1)liged  to  go 
about  on  a  wooden  one.  This  man  came  to  him  one  day  and  told  him  that 
he  knew  he  was  a  prophet  of  the  Lord:  that  he  could  perform  miracles 
and  foretell  events,  and  that  he  wanted  him  to  perform  a  miracle  for  him 
by  giving  him  back  his  lost  leg.  He  stated  that  with  (mlyoneleg  he  could 
not  support  his  families,  and  that  he  had  a  strong  desire  to  nuike  himself 
useful.  After  thinking  over  the  matter  a  few  moments.  Young  assumed  a 
very  solemn  and  wise  attitude  and  expression  and  said  :  "What  you  say 
is  true.  I  am  a  prophet  of  the  Lord:  I  can  perform  miracles  and  foretell 
events  and  do  numy  other  wondrous  things:  but  it  is  i)ossible  that  you 
have  not  thought  this  thing  out  as  seriously  as  you  f)uglit  to  have  done. 
You  know  it  is  told  us  that  what  is  lost  to  us  in  this  world  will  be  restored 
to  us  in  the  next.  If  you  continue  in  the  faith  in  the  other  world  your 
lost  leg  will  be  given  back  to  you,  and  if  I  give  you  another  now  you  will 
have  to  go  through  eternity  on  three  legs."  This  was  a  view  that  had  not 
occurred  to  the  man  befoie.  and  he  concluded  that  he  would  not  insist  on 
having  the  miracle  performed.  He  went  away  a  more  fervent  l)eliever  in 
Brigham  than  ever. 

When  Brigham  Young  died,  in  1S77.  John  Taylor  was  elected  to  succeed 
him,  but  his  real  power  descended  to  (leorge  Q.  C'annon,  entitled  ''Urst 
Counselor"  to  the  president,  and  who  was  also  a  delegate  to  Congress. 

Salt  Lake  City  at  the  present  time  covers  about  nine  thousand  acres 
of  ground,  some  of  which  is  unoccupied,  but  the  city  is  handsomely  laid 


k 


308 


PKUSONAL  UKCOI.hKlTlONS  OF 


i     ' 

! 
1 


ViU 


i  { 


'^1 


:  ! 


out.  The  streets  arc  one  liimdnMl  and  tw«Mity-(M«;lit  feet  in  widtli,  crossing 
at  ri^Mit  anodes.  'rii<\vare  tliicklv  sIuuIimI,  and  tlirMn;j:li  many  of  tlicni  tlow 
sh'cains  of  [uire  water  fnnn  tlie  distant  nionntains.  enaldin^'  the  people  to 
irrijxate  I  heir  j^ardens,     N(»arly  (»very  ward  contains  a  pnhlie  s«|nare.     The 

honses  sire  mostly 
Iniilt  of  a.<h)he.  hut 
t  h  e  re  are  many 
liandstunehuiMin^rs. 
Tiie  iMornnni  laher- 
lUK'Ie  is  tile  iarjjrest 
strnclnre.  It  seats 
t  w  e  I  v  e  Ihonsand 
pers<»ns  and  has  an 


immense  or^'an. 


Ai%^,<m4k£r^' 


MuKMON    I'kmi'i.i: 


It 

is  (>ilipii('al  in  shapi> 
and  its  i  nt  e  r  i  o  r 
space  is  siillicient  to 
permit  the  drilling' 
ol'a  I'ciiimcnt  of  mein. 
It  was  desii;ned  hy 
a  yonnj^j  (J  erm  a  n 
a  rchi  tect.  and  its 
aconstic  prop<'rties 
aiv  remarkahje;  nnexcidied.  I  presnme.  hy  those  of  any  hnildin«j:  in  the 
world.  The  new  temi)Ie.  Itnilt  at  a  cost  of  $'").<><MMMKI.  isin  thesame  enclosure. 
It  is  a  mairnificiMit  hniMini;  int(>nd(Ml  to  endure  forages.  Its  foundations  are 
sixt(MMi  f(M^t  d(M^[)and  composed  of  hard ^rayjjfra nit (\  There  is  still  another 
very  interestint;  building  in  the  same  emdosure  iaiown  as  the  iMulownuMit. 
House.  Here  for  many  years  converts  to  the  Mormon  religion  have  been 
receivinl  into  the  bosom  of  the  church  with  mysterious  forms  and  cere- 
monies. It  is  built  of  tidobe  and  contains  but  four  windows,  one  of 
which  is  blocked  up. 

On  a  high  bench  of  land  commanding  a  niagnilicent  view  of  the  city 
and  surrounding  country  stands  the  imposing  residence  formerly  occui)ied 
by  the  Prophet  with  many  of  his  wives  and  children.  At  the  west  end  of 
Hrighanrs  Block,  as  it  is  called,  lies  the  Tithing  House.  This  is  a  large 
building  with  numerous  cellars,  storerooms,  receiving  rooms,  payrooms 
and  ottices.  Here  are  collected  and  store<l  all  the  vast  tithes  of  the  prod- 
ucts of  Mormon  industry  in  each  and  every  department  of  skill  and  labor — 


CJKNKWAI.  NKLSON   A.  MII.KS. 


'MV.) 


How 
Ic  to 

ostly 

,     iMit 

Miiiiy 
liii^is. 

iriicst 
scats 
usjumI 
las  ail 
n.  It 
sl»ai>(» 
'  r  io  r 

HMlt  to 

rilliii}.' 
)l'in('n. 
ihmI  by 
nil  an 
iimI  it^ 
pcrtics 
ill  the 
losurc. 
oiisare 
MiotlH'i' 

llWIIlCIlt 
(1    ('(MO- 

oiio   ot" 


c 


he  city 
cupied 
oiul  of 
a  lar^e 
yrooiiis 
le  prod- 
labor — 


tlio  nvsiiltaiit  of  tliat  systnii  of  tithing'  wliicli  ('oiiipcls  cui'li  individual 
iikmiiImm' of  tlu'rlinrvli  to  drvotc  to  its  sii|>|iort  onr-tcntli  (d*  all  the  |>rod- 
iH'ts  of  his  oi- Iht  laltof.     'I'licsc  |»ossrssions  of  tlir  rlimrh  always   found  a 


i 


n 


statesman. 


I 


870 


rEUS(JNAL  liECOI.LELTIONS  OK 


Universal  industry,  groat  economy  and  simplicity  of  life,  with  rigid 
temperance,  were  the  main  sources  and  pillars  of  their  prosi)erity  and 
wealth.  They  have  been  a  very  prosperous  people.  They  lived  under  a 
system  of  perfect  (liscii>line.  They  are  a  healthy  people  and  great  care 
has  ht^en  taken  that  their  immigrants  should  bring  no  disease  with  them. 
They  for  a  long  time  allowed  no  intruders  in  the  country.  Anyone  who 
was  very  troublesome  disappeared  very  i»romptly.  and  the  Mountain 
Meadow  massacre  will  forever  l)e  a  blot  upon  the  history  of  the  Mormons. 
When  finally  the  railways  were  established,  giving  employment  to  a  large 
number  of  men,  the  result  was  a  rapid  increase  of  wealth.  The  number 
of  buildings  erected  grew  steadily  larger,  and  the  luxuries  usually  found  in 
wealthy  communities  w(>re  gradually  adopted,  until  now  Salt  Lake  City  is 
one  of  the  picturescpie  and  prosperous  cities  of  the  West.  They  point  to 
their  success,  the  productive  res(;.irces  of  the  territory  and  the  growth  and 
beauty  of  Salt  Lake  C^ity  as  the  direct  evidences  that  they  were  the  chosen 
peojde  of  the  Lord  and  the  es])ecial  recipients  of  His  blessing.  Yet  they  for- 
get in  this  argunuMit  the  great  prosperity  of  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis,  Los 
Angeles,  San  Francisco,  Portland,  Tacoma,  Seattle,  Denver.  Omaha,  Kansas 
City  and  hundreds  of  other  American  cities  and  towns  that  have  prospered 
and  been  made  beautiful  during  the  same  period. 


?^?^?#^^f. 


K?*^^-%^fe^ 


■y^^'. 

m 


GEN..;UL  NKLSON  A.  MILES. 


'Ml 


aiul 
lev  a 

care 
tl\em. 

intain 
luons. 
I  lav^e 

»iuh1  in 
I'ity  i» 
oint  to 
vth  i\m\ 
I  chosen 
hey  fov- 
)Us,  l^os 
,  Kansas 
rospeved 


CHAPTKU  XXIX 

Across  I'tah  and  Nkvada. 

From    Salt    L.\kk    ti>    San     Fkancisco  —  On    tiik    I'acikm  —  Thk    Cdlimhia  Uivkr  —  MoI'nt 
llt»in>  —  MorxT      Shasta  —  A      .Muintain      Lakk  —  City      ok      IVtKTi.ANU  —  Okkohn  — 

WASlllN«iT<iN  —  (Jl.lMATK      (IK      TIIK       Nl  IKTII WKST — Wll.l.AMKTTK        VaI.I.KV — TlIK 
FoKKMTH  —  tioI.K  — (.'aTTLK      HaIKIXO  —  Si'iiKANK     AND     TacoMA —  Il)AIH>. 

UOM  Salt  Lake  City  1  journeyed  across  the  arid  phiins  of 
southern  Utah  and  western  Nevada  to  San  Francisco  l)y 
way  of  tlie  Central  Pacific,  which  was  a  continuation  of  the 
Union  I'acific.  at  that  time  the  only  trans-continental  line. 
I  remained  in  San  Francisco  several  days,  hut  as  I  shall  have 
occasion  later  to  speak  more  fully  of  this  city  1  will  not  at 
this  time  attempt  to  descrihc  it. 

At  that  time  there  was  no  way  of  reaching  Portland,  Ore- 
gon, except  l)y  water,  unless  one  went  hy  stage  and  the  mountainous 
route  through  the  interior,  the  latter  hemg  a  long,  tedious  and 
most  undesiralde  journey.  I  took  passage  on  hoard  the  "Columbia."  and 
passing  out  of  the  beautiful  San  Francisco  harbor  found  myself  on  the 
billows  of  the  broad  Pacific.  The  trip  along  the  coast  was  a  most  delight- 
ful one  until  we  were  overtaken  by  a  severe  storm.when  the  water  became 
so  rough  that  even  those  who  were  most  accustomed  to  ocean  voyages 
were  obliged  to  succumb  to  seasickness.  Even  those  who  had  crossed  the 
Atlantic  many  times  without  any  unpleasant  effects  were  forced  to 
acknowledge  the  power  of  the  Pacific  when  once  roused  from  its  usually 
placid  condition. 

At  the  mouth  of  the  Columl)ia  River  at  that  time  there  was  a  bar 
which,  if  the  wind  was  fresh,  was  covered  by  a  dashing  surf,  while  in  a 
storm  this  surf  appeared  like  a  great  white  wall.  There  were  several 
breaks  in  this  bar,  allowing  ships  to  enter. Ijnt  it  was  at  all  times  a  danger- 
ous passageway,  many  steamers  having  l^een  wrecked  there  and  many 
valuable  lives  lost.  During  the  last  few  years  the  government  has  con- 
structed extensive  and  costly  jetties  that  have  greatly  improved  the 
navigation  at  the  entrance  of  this  great  river.    It  is  to  the  Columbia, 


a-j 


I'HKSONAL  I:K('(M,I,K( TIONS  OK 


»  1 


F    f 


wliirli   oiH'o   l»(»ro  the  namo  of  Oir^'oii,  timt    lliyaiit   refers  in   his  poem 
"Tliaiiatopsis"  w  lien  lie  says: 

•'Or  ln>*«<  thyself  in  the  coiitiniKnis  \vo<uIh 
Where  rulls  the  ( )rej,'(tii.  atid  hears  im  sound 
Save  its  own   dashin^'s       yet  the  (h-ad  are  there." 

After  passing  the  har  and  eiiteriiij;  the  river  one  is  reniin<h»«l  of  the  lower 


S("i:xK  ox  Tin;  Coi.tMiiiA  Hivkr. 

Mississippi  hy  the  dark.  som1)re  trees  growing  down  to  the  water's  edge. 
This  most  majestic  river  has  l)een  styled  the  "Hudson  of  the  West,"  Imt  it 
far  surpasses  the  Hudson  in  the  volume  of  water  it  sends  to  the  sea  and  in 
the  magnitirence  of  its  scenery.  At  that  time  it  was  five  miles  wide  at 
its  mouth,  but  for  some  distance  as  one  ascended  toward  its  source  it 


l;li 


(;knki{.\i,  nki.son  a.  milks. 


im 


)ueui 


U)\ver 


"  but  it 
la  and  in 
I  wide  at 

)urce  it 


ra|H(llv  •' i(!  >iumI,  l»(»ii»/ alnuit  tit'tcen  miles  a<*n»ss  a  few  niiles  fnun  ulicre 
it  entered  the  Dcean.  To^'etlier  witli  its  triluitjiries  it  drains  a  territory  <>f 
:{tl.').(KH)  sijuare  miles,  and  penetrates  in  every  direction  tliroufjli  twelve 
degrees  of  latitude  and  thirteen  de^jrees  of  longitude.  Although  naviga- 
tion upon  it  is  not  continuous,  it  has  seven  hundred  and  twenty-live  miles 
of  navigjible  water.s.  These  are  broken  hy  the  cascades.  The  Dalles,  and 
other  obstrncti<»ns.  The  distance  across  the  country  between  its  navigable 
waters  and  those  of  the  Mi.ss(uiri  is  oidy  four  hundred  a!id  tifty  miles, 
which  gives  it  great  value  as  a  nu'ans  of  trajisportation.  On  the  Snake 
Hiver.  one  of  its  i)ranches.  steanuM's  can  go  as  far  as  liewiston,  Idaho,  a 
distance  of  four  hundred  miles  east  of  Portland.  Oregon. 

The  most  interesting  part  of  the  river  is  that  known  as  the  (Jorge  of 
the  Columbia.  From  ab(»ve  The  halles  for  lifty  miles  or  more  the  river 
Hows  through  the  solid  mountain  range  of  the  Cascades,  and  the  farther  it 
penetrates  these  mountains  the  more  nuijestic  and  awe-inspiring  grows  the 
scenery.  As  we  ascend,  fantastic  forms  of  r(K*k  attract  the  attention  on 
every  hand,  and  from  lofty  ledges  silvery  water  from  mountain  rivulets 
d<vscends  hundreds  of  feet  to  the  Columbia  IxMow.  Tlu»  narrow  channel  of 
the  river,  the  high  over-     .=^«^-«)wp^ 


hanging  clitTs  w  hich  eon- 
tine  the  wind  as  if  in  a 
funnel,  and  the  changes  of 
temperature  t(>  whicb 
mountain  localities  are 
subject,  make  this  a  stormy 
passage  at  some  seasons 
of  the  year.  As  the  rap- 
ids  are  approached  the  ^,  '*V/^^()^^v::r  J>  .,  ^,y 
heights  recede  and  en-  "^^^^^^^^^^S&J:!!;- 
close  a  strip  oi  level  rock 
on  which  stands  a  soli- 
tary pyramid  know  as 
Castle  Kock.      Above  the 


MctlNT    lliiul). 

cascades  the  scenery  is  so  grand  as  to  almost  defy  description. 
The  most  interesting  part  of  this  Gorge  of  the  Columbia  is  The 
Dalles.  Here  the  river  flows  for  fifteen  miles  through  such  a  narrow 
channel  in  the  solid  rock  that  one  accustomed  only  to  the  lower  part 
can  hardly  believe  that  this  great,  dashing,  rushing,  foaming  torrent  of 
water  is  the  Columbia.     So  narrow  and  so  deep,  indeed,  does  it  appear 


**«■■■■■■ 


. 


■I 


'I 


;^74 


PhiUSONAL  HKCOLLK'CTION'S  OF 


at.  this  place  that  it  has  been  aptly  likened  to  "af?reat  river  set  on 
edge." 

As  I  stood  on  the  deck  of  the  steamer  on  the  occasion  of  my  first 
ascendinj^  the  Columbia  I  noticed  what  appeared  to  me  to  be  a  triangular 
white  cloud  above  ad(M^i)bank  of  darker  ones.  Someone  quietly  renuirked, 
"Mount  Hood!"  "VViiere?"  I  inipiired;  and  jjjreat  was  my  surjn'ise  when 
he  pointed  out  my  beautiful  three  cornered  cloud  as  the  snow-capped  peak 
of  the  famous  mountain.  At  first  I  was  incredulous,  l)ut  as  we  drew 
nearer  and  it  {gradually  unfolded  its  j;ra<'eful  and  symmetrical  form,  st^eni- 
injif  to  reach  into  the  very  iumvens,  I  was  fonrcd  to  acknowled|^'ethat  he  was 
right.  Most  mountain  r mges  stand  on  a  i)lat(siu  so  that  we  do  not  get  the 
full  effect  of  their  height.  Pike's  i'eak,  for  instance,  reaches  an  altitude 
(»f  lJ{.r)(M)  feet  above  the  s(si  level,  but  the  country  around  it  rises  so  grad- 
ually that  tlu^  actual  mountain  is  only  about  half  that  height  above  the 
surrounding  (tountry.  Moinit  Mood,  howcner,  stands  forth  in  all  its  ma- 
jestic proijortions,  as  one  se(\s  it  from  the  sea  level  I'J.'MM^  foot  from  foot  to 
summit,  and  losers  nothing  of  its  graiuleur  by  reason  of  any  surrounding 
tableland.  Ac<*ording  to  a  tradition  of  the  Indians.  Mount  H(K»d  was  an 
active  volcano  at  a  comparatively  rec(Mit  ])eriod.  As  we  move  on  u|»  the 
Columbia  the  remainder  of  the  cluster  of  mountains  of  whi<'h  Mount 
ll(K)d  forms  one  become  visible  against  the  sky;  Mcuint  Adams,  Mount 
•lefTerson,  Mount  St.  Helens,  and  furtluM"  to  the  wt^st  Mount  Kainier  or 
Tacoma,  as  the  Indians  called  the  great  UKniutain  towering  up  two  thousand 
feet  higher  than  even  Mount  Hood,  and  all  contributing  to  form  a  grand 
picture  that  I  have  never  seen  surpassed.  One  of  Oregon's  native  poets 
speaks  of 

"  cloiidt'd  Hood, 

St.  IIclt'iiH  ill  ln^r  stMi  of   wood 

Wlinre  H\V)'ti|»H  tlic  Oit'iroii,  and  wlit'it" 
Wliito  storms  art)  in  tlif  fcatlicrcd  lir. 
AikI  snowy  si'u-l)irds  wliccl  and  wliir." 

M'M^jt  /'iuista  is  one  of  the  grandest  of  this  great  mountain  range.  It 
tow«jrs  above  the  surr()unding  coiintry,  symnieti'ical  in  form,  impressively 
majestic  in  proi)orti()ns,  rising  14,440  feet  in  height. 

The  grandest  of  all  these  mountains  at  one  time  must  have  been  what 
is  now  known  as  Crater  iiake  in  southeast  Oregon,  ninety  miles  east  of  the 
Oregon  and  California,  Kailway.  it  is  one  of  the  most  wonderful  features 
of  nature  that  1  hav(>  <»verseen.  As  you  approach  it  you  pass  over  what 
is  known  as  the   Lava  Ueds,  a  large  district  of  country  that  must  have 


111  i  .! 


(iKNKlJAL  NKLSON  A.  MII.KS. 


876 


y  first 
iignlar 
larked, 

wlion 
d  i)oak 
B  drew 
„  soeiu- 
,  be  was 

jrotthe 
altitude 
;<)  ^rad- 
»()ve  tlio 

its  lusi" 
I  foot  to 
•ouudinjj; 
[  was  ail 
)U  ui»  tlie 
li  Mount 
s.  Mount 
aiuier  or 
thousand 
a  ^n-and 
ive  iH)ets 


|ran«jcc.    Tt 
ipressively 

[been  wbat 
least  of  tlie 

111  features 
lover  wiiat 

inust  bave 


been  (H)vered  by  tlie  lava  from  a  ^'reat  eruption.  You  ^raibuilly  ascend 
for  four  or  live  mik's  what  i(K>ivs  like  a  luouiitaiu  ran^'c.  As  you  approach 
and  liually  reaeh  the  suniiuit  you  are  suddenly  appalled  by  lindiuf/  your- 
self ui)on  the  ver^e  (d'  a  preeii)iee  lookiuj,'  down  two  thousand  feet  up«»n  a 
Dody  of  waier  six  miles  lon^  and  live  wide,  encircled  by  an  ahnost  per- 
pendicular wall,  with  only  one  or  two  places  whei'e  it  is  possible  for  a  nuiii 
to  descend  to  its  mar^'in.  The  area  of  this  lake  is  ahoul  thirty  stpiare  miles 
and  its  depth  ov(M'  two  thousand  feet.  There  is  no  appjirent  outlet,  but 
sonH>  twelve  or  lift(MMi  miles  away  there  rolls  out  from  the  earth  a  lar^ni 
stream  of  water  as  cold  as  ice,  which  se<Muin;,dy  comes  throu^di  some  sid)- 
terranean  channel  fi'om  the  ^reat  lake  above.  N(»arth(M'enterof  this  lake 
is  a  cone  of  what  was  once  a  volcanic  mountain.  The  indications  point 
to  a  volcano  that  must  have  been  in  action   bu-  a    lonij:  time.     Part  of  the 


cone  is  <*()vered  with  j^rass  and  trees,     luidently  by  some  tremeiu 


Ion 


s  coi 


vulsion  the  top  of  the  mountain  was  blown  up.  its  sides  were  thrown  out- 
ward, and  the  cone  falliufj:  stands  surnuinded  by  this  ^'reat  shell  or  crat(M'; 
one  of  the  most  interesting'  and  awe-inspiring'  natural  wonders  in  exist- 
ence. One  is  well  repaid  b)r  a  lon^  aiul  tedious  jouriu\v  in  helujidinj;  it. 
Kverythin<^  indicates  that  before  the  eruption  it  must  have  been  e((ual  if 
\U)\,  sui)erior  in  lu'i^dit  and  jj^randeur  to  anyone  of  the  ^n'at  mountain 
peaks  south  «d'  Alaska. 

On  the  Wilhunett(^  b'iver,  twelve  utiles  from  where  it  entei's  the  <'olum- 
bia.  staiuis  the  city  of  Portland  in  a  situati(»n  of  wonderful  natural  Ixsiuty. 
Allhou^h  it  is  oiui  hundred  ami  Iwenty  miU's  from  the  ocean,  yet  its  posi- 
ti(m  near  the  lu>ad  of  navigation  on  the  Willaniette  makes  it  virtually  a 
seaport.  A  rather  amusing  account  is  given  of  the  way  in  which  I'ortlaiid 
received  its  name.  The  site  of  the  present  city  was  purchased  in  IS44  by 
two  nuMi  from  New  l^lngland,  one  being  a  native  of  the  chief  <'ity  of  the 
state  ol"  Maine,  while  the  other  came  from  {{oston.  In  ISlS  the  nund»er  of 
]»('ople  in  tluMr  new  settlement  had  so  iiu'reased  as  to  seem  to  warrant  the 
dignity  (d'  a  nanu'!.  and  naturally  each  of  the  owucm's  was  desirous  of  hon- 
oring his  own  city  with  a  namesake  in  the  far  West.  After  hmg  discussion, 
no  agreenuMit  being  reach'Ml,  a  p<Miny  was  tossed  up.  and  the  nuin  from 
Maine  winning,  the  town  was  called  Portland.  Afterward  he  bought  out 
his  [)artner.  but  eventually  sold  the  wlude  property  for  $"),()()(),  taking  his 
pay  in  leaihei-. 

When  I  visited  the  city  in  ISSl  the  ]toi)ulatlon  iiumbenMl  titUMM).  but 
since  then  it  has  incicased  rapidly,  and  aft<M'it  was  consolidat<'d  with  i-last 
l\)rtlan(l   and    Albiua    in    iSlll    the  population   was   estinuited  at  7'J,(MMI. 


-!>« 


sSe 


PKWSONAL  IJE(H)LLECTI()NS  OK 


m  '  ^ 

i 
1 ' 

'■}  ■  1..   .. 

1 
1 

^HBLnJI  1  :  :'       1      J 

^^HiLi  {( 

Portland  is  a  thriving  cityaml  Orojjon  a  prosperous  Stato  l)e('aiise  of  the  vast 
natural  resources  of  the  surrounding'  country.  Its  Avaters  are  alive  with 
tli(»  most  delicious  trout  and  salmon.  Its  forests  are  of  j;reat  value.  Its 
ajjrricultural  resources  are  unsurpassed.  Its  mines,  manufactures  and  com- 
merce and  the  enterprise  of  its  jx'ople  all  contribute  to  its  wealth  and 
prosperity,  ^hmy  have  ^rown  rich  as  a  result  of  the  wonderful  discov- 
eries of  mines  in  California.  Idaho  and  Oregon.  These  mines  increased 
the  i»opulation  and  hrou^dit  in  many  additiomil  industries.  I'ortland  is 
now  a  handsome  city,  lighted  l>y  pis  and  electricity,  with  many  miles  of 
street  railway,  and  containing  numerous  massive  buildings.  Naturally  its 
connnerce  is  of  great  importance. 

The  discovei'y  and  exidoration  of  Oregon  and  Washington  is  credited 
to  the  Spanish  navigators  early  in  the  sixteenth  century.  In  l')92  .luande 
Fuca.  a  (ireek  pilot  sailing  in  the  service  of  the  N'iceroy  of  New  S[)ain, 
entered  into  "a  broad  opening  between  forty-seven  and  forty-eight  degrees, 
and  sailed  eastward  for  one  hundred  miles,  when  he  saw  men  clad  in  the 
skins  of  beasts  and  emerged  into  the  Atlantic."  Considering  his  duty 
done,  he  saihnl  back  through  his  strait  and  down  to  Acapulco.  Afterward 
he  was  sent  to  Spain  to  report  tliis  marvel  to  the  king.  Then  began  that 
series  of  voyages  in  search  of  the  "Straits  of  Aman."  which  resulted  in 
the  telling  of  such  wond(M-ful  stories.  These  fabled  straits  were  supposed 
to  lead  thi'ough  to  the  Atlantic,  and  their  I'ediscovery  and  exploration  was 
the  ambition  of  the  greatest  navigators  of  two  centuries.  The  first  who 
claimed  to  have  explored  them  was  a  Portugese,  who  was  supposed 
to  have  sailed  through  them  from  the  Labrador  coast  into  the  Indian  OceJin 
in  loOd. 

The  Strait  of  .luan  de  Fuca  is  a  magnificent  highway  eighty-three  miles 
in  length  and  in  places  not  more  than  twelve  miles  in  width,  the  great 
gateway  to  one  of  the  grandest  of  all  our  inland  seas.  Puget  Sound.  The 
latter,  with  its  arms  and  inlets,  covers  a  surface  of  two  thousand  square 
miles.  Its  waters  are  of  very  great  depth,  and  its  harbors  are  cai)al)le  of 
accommodating  the  largest  vessels.  For  safety  of  navigation  it  is  un- 
ci (ua  led. 

In  17112  Captain  (J ray  of  Boston  in  his  ship  "Columbia"  sailed  up  the 
great  river  which  now  bears  the  name  of  his  vessel,  and  it  was  upon  ins 
di>C()veries  and  explorations  that  the  United  States  based  her  claim  to  that 
vast  region  com}»rising  Washington.  Oregon  and  a  part  of  Idaho,  and 
which  contains  thirty-two  times  as  many  s((uare  miles  as  Massachusetts, 
the  native  State  of  Captain  (iray.     The  overland  expedition  under  Lewis 


e  vast 
with 
I.    Its 
I  coni- 
b  and 
Usc-ov- 
•reasetl 
laiul  is 
liles  of 
■ally  its 

•redited 
.1  uau  de 
'  Si>ain, 
ae^n-ees. 
:1  ill  the 
liis  duty 
ftenvavd 
irau  tlrat 
suited  in 

snppo^t'^^ 
ion  was 

hrst  who 
vipposed 

ian  Ocean 


iree  ni 


iles 


the  great 

md.    The 

aid  s(inare 

•apahle  of 

it  is  nn- 

ed  up  the 
upon  his 

lini  to  that 

daho.  and 
achnsetts, 

luler  Lewis 


GEXERAl.   NELSON   A.   MILES. 


•)( 


12 


'-J 


m 

!   **■■  I 

'■     'll 

1  ^  1 
1      i    J 

i  ■  i 

37S 


PEHSONAL  HECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


I    :1 


I!     ! 


and  Clark  crossed  the  liocky  Mountains  and  followed  the  Columbia  River 
from  itssouice  to  its  niouth  in  1S()5.  The  wonderful  resources  of  this  part 
of  the  country  were  first  n)ade  known  to  the  world  through  that  expedition. 

The  first  attempt  at  settlement  was  nuide  by  Captain  Winship  with 
fifty  men  in  ISKI,  but  the  hardy  pioneers  who  were  afraid  of  neither  man 
nor  beast  were  fon-ed  t()  own  themselves  van(piislied  by  another  adversary 
when  the  summer  freshet  swept  down  from  the  mountains,  carryinjj:  away 
their  gardens,  flooding  their  houses  and  forcing  them  to  abandon,  their 
enter])rise.  Captain  Winshii)  returned  to  San  Francisco  and  began  mak- 
ing pliins  for  })lanting  another  colony  on  the  Columbia,  but  before  they 
were  comi)leted  he  heard  of  the  establishment  of  Astoria,  named  in 
honor  of  its  founder.  John  -hicol)  Astor,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  He 
then  abandoned  his  enterprise.  The  Hudson  Bay  Company  subsecpiently 
obtained  this  property  and  ruled  supremely  in  the  valleys  of  the  Cohnnbia 
and  the  Willamette  until  1S4S,  excepting  for  a  few  years  wdien  its  sway 
was  disputed  ])y  the  Northwest  Fur  Company.  Tn  1Sl'4  the  first  fruit  trees 
were  planted  in  Oi'egon.  and  seven  years  later  some  servants  of  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company  abandoned  hunting  and  trapping  and  attempted  wheat- 
growing  in  the  VVillamette  \'alley. 

The  sad  story  of  the  Nez  Pen^e  Indians  who  took  the  long  journey  from 
the  far  West  to  St.  liouis  in  search  of  "the  Book"  is  well  known  in  that 
country.  In  the  end  tlieir  journey  did  not  prove  a  fruitless  one,  for  their 
pathetic  story  became  known,  and  when  in  ISJJ')  two  exploring  delegates 
of  the  American  board  of  missions  met  the  Nez  Perces  on  (Jreen  Kiver, 
Dr.  Whitman,  one  of  these  agents,  concluded  that  he  had  discovered  his  life 
work.  When  he  returned  to  the  east  to  make  his  report  and  arrange  his 
plan;  he  took  with  him  two  of  the  Nez  Ferce  boys  as  specimens  of  the 
people  among  whom  he  wished  to  ])e  allowed  to  labor.  As  soon  as  his 
plans  were  completed  he  returned  to  the  West  and  founded  a  small  colony 
in  Walla  Walla  \'alley.  Afterward  it  was  largely  due  to  his  patriotic 
efforts  and  sacrifices  that  the  whole  of  this  vast  region  did  not  become  a 
part  of  the  British  possessions,  as  will  l)e  shown  in  a  future  chapter. 

In  1S41  Captain  Wilkes  of  the  United  States  Navy,  at  the  head  of  an 
expedition,  surveyed  the  coasts,  bays,  harl)ors  and  rivers  of  this  territory, 
and  two  years  later  Lieutenant  Fremont  of  the  army  arrived  at  Vancouvei' 
on  the  Columbia  Hiver,  thus  connecting  his  reconnoissance  with  the  eastern 
terminus  of  C'aptain  Wilkes's  explorations. 

In  the  course  of  time  this  territory  became  the  occasion  of  numerous 
disputes  between  the  United  States  and  the  British  government.     These 


River 
is  part 
ditiou. 
p  with 
\Y  mau 
^crsiiry 
^  away 
ii>  their 
u  niaU- 
»re  they 
meA  in 
,er.    He 
LHiueutly 
Jolnmhia 
its  sway 
i-uit  trees 
^e  Hudson 
P,d  wlieat- 

rney  fvo»^ 
11  in  that 
.^  t()r  their 
delegates 
Ben  Uiver, 
i-ed  his  lite 
grange  his 
^eiis  of  the 
soon  as  his 
nail  colony 
is  patriotic 
become  a 

ipter. 

head  of  an 
s  territory. 
Vancouver 
the  eastern 

)f  numerous 
Lent.    These 


1 


GKNKKAL  NKLSON  A.  MILES. 


879 


were  not  finally  settled  until  1S72,  when  the  (iernian  Emperor  acted  as 
arbitrator  between  the  two  governments.  During  the  years  when  the  owner- 
ship of  the  territory  was  unsettled  it  was  held  by  the  people  of  both  countries; 
but  no  form  of  civil  government  existed  until  1.S4H,  when  Oregon  Territory 
was  organized  by  Congress.  The  country  was  really  settled  by  the  Ameri- 
cans, for  while  the  British  hunter  and  trapper  came  in  search  of  game 
only,  the  American  farmer  brought  his  wife  and  fsunily  and  remained  in 
the  country  perinanently. 

A  "donation  law"  was  passed  by  Congress  in  iSoO.  which  enabled 
early  settlers  to  secure  titles  to  their  hoNliugs.  In  IS")*.)  Oregon  was 
admitted  as  a  State.  For  several  years  thereafter  her  progress  was  slow, 
but  the  coming  of  the  railroads  overcame  the  most  serious  obsta- 
cles to  her  advancement  and  assisted  her  to  the  present  substantial 
prosperity. 

The  history  of  Washington  was  closely  connected  with  that  of  Oregon 
until  1858,  when  Congress  endowed  the  former  with  a  sei)arate  territorial 
government.     It  was  admitted  as  a  State  in  ISS',). 

For  many  years  there  was  a  very  mistaken  ojiinion  regarding  the  cli- 
mateof  the  northern  Pacific  Coast.it  l)eing  supi)()sed  that  the  winters  were 
very  cold  and  severe,  while  in  reality  tiie  revers<»  is  true.  The  mean  tv.\u- 
perature  in  January  ranges  from  ten  to  twenty  degrees  higher  on  the  Pacif- 
ic than  it  does  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  mountain  chain  which  <livides  the 
continent.  The  difference  in  the  temperature  is  causiMl  by  the  Kuro  Siwo 
or  .hipan  Current,  which  modihes  the  climate  of  the  North  Pacihc  Coast 
just  as  the  (lulf  Stream  tempers  the  clinuite  of  the  Pritish  Isles,  VVt^st  of 
the  Cascade  Mountains  in  Washington  and  Oregon  the  winters  consist  of 
the  long  rainy  season,  but  the  weather  is  not  cold.  Snow  sonu'times  falls, 
but  rarely  in  great  (lUcintities.  Thunder  storms  seldom  if  ever  occur,  and 
hurricanes  and  cyclones  are  almost  unknown.  The  rainfall  at  Portland, 
Oregon,  averages  fifty-one  inches. 

In  western  Oregon  and  Washington  Avhenever  the  temi)erature  falls  a 
few  degrees  below  the  freezing  point  the  weather  is  generally  bright  and 
pleasant,  with  heavy  frosts  at  night.  When  frosts  occur  during  spring  or 
early  summer,  which  in  other  lands  would  be  sutliciently  severe  to  injure 
fruit  and  the  growing  crops,  they  are  commonly  followed  here  by  heavy 
fogs  which  roll  in  from  the  ocean  and  spread  themselves  throughout  the 
country.  These  fogs  are  so  very  dense  that  their  humidity  dissolves  the 
frost  before  the  heat  of  the  sun  can  strike  the  vegetation  and  cause  the 
subsequent  injury. 


i]>SO 


TKliSOXAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


I  ■iI'imI; 


111  eastern  Orej^on  and  W'lsliinj^ton  the  temperature  is  much  lower  in 
winter  and  liij^her  in  summer  than  it  is  west  of  the  mountains. 
Althonj^h  the  days  are  often  very  hot  in  the  summer,  the  nights  are  always 
cool  and  refreshing.  As  there  are  four  or  tive  months  of  what  is  known  as 
the  dry  season,  between  May  and  October,  it  gives  the  farmers  an  oiipor- 
tunity  to  harvest  their  crops  at  leisure. 

Wheat  forms  the  staple  agricultural  product  of  both  Washington  and 
Oregon,  in  Washington  much  of  the  land  devoted  to  the  raising  of  wheat 
is  from  l.OiK)  to  ;{,(l(M>  feet  above  the  sea  level.  Hundreds  of  miles  of 
irrigating  canals  are  in  operation,  and  the  annual  product  averages 
15.(K)(I,(KM)  bushels.  Oats  also  yields  heavily  and  fruits  and  vegetal)les 
are  extensively  raised  in  both  States.  In  Oregon  the  Willamette  V'alley 
is  the  chief  region  of  agricultural  wealth,  and  is  famed  alike  for  its  beauty 
and  fertility. 

This  charming  valley,  which  has  sometimes  been  called  the  "Eden  of 
Oregon."  is  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles  in  length,  and  its  breadth 
for  the  entire  distance  averages  over  forty  miles.  Its  area  is  tive  times 
that  of  Delaware,  or  nearly  equal  to  the  entire  State  of  Maryland.  The 
valley  presents  most  delightful  alternations  of  scenery,  from  lofty  moun- 
tains to  rich  meadows,  wooded  hills  and  pastoral  dales.  It  is  the  most 
populous  portion  of  the  State  and  embraces  within  its  limits  nearly  all  the 
important  towns  and  cities.  At  the  time  that  I  was  in  that  part  of  the 
country  the  valley  was  being  rapidly  settled,  and  in  the  loneliest  parts 
might  be  noticed  new  houses;  so  new  in  fact,  that  the  sawdust  sometimes 
still  clung  to  their  ))()ards.  The  prairies  of  the  Willamette  Valley  are  not 
an  uninterrupted  level  like  those  of  Illinois.  Ranges  of  hills  and  isolated 
buttes  occur  frequently  enough  to  save  the  landscape  from  monotony. 

It  would  hardly  be  possible  to  exaggerate  the  value  of  the  forests 
throughout  Washington  and  Oregon,  especially  in  the  former  State.  The 
principal  growths  are  fir,  pine,  spruce,  cedar,  larch  and  hemlock,  though 
other  varieties  are  found  in  considerable  quantities.  Trees  attain  an 
unusual  development,  both  in  regard  to  height  and  symmetry  of  form. 
They  are  so  tall  and  straight  and  gently  tapering  that  they  are  peculiarly 
adapted  for  making  the  masts  and  spars  of  ships,  and  for  this  purpose 
large  quantities  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length  are  shipped  from  the 
forests  of  Douglas  County  to  all  parts  of  the  world. 

Gold  was  first  discovered  in  Jackson  County  in  Oregon  in  LS52,  and 
mining  is  still  carried  on  there  for  the  same  precious  metal,  though  it  has 
since  been  discovered  i.  t  many  other  places.     In  Washington  gold  is  found 


\-^' 


GKNEUAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


3S1 


wer  in 
iitaiiis. 
tihvays 
own  us 
oppor- 

ou  and 

■  wheat 

liles  of 

vera^es 

retables 
Valley 
beauty 

Eden  of 
breadth 
e  times 
id.    The 
y  moun- 
he  most 
y  all  the 
t  of  the 
!st  parts 
metimes 
are  not 
isolated 
|ony. 

forests 
^e.  The 
though 
Ittain  an 
lof  form, 
(culiarly 
purpose 
from  the 

852,  and 

\\\  it  has 

is  found 


on  the  Yakima  River  and  in  various  other  localities.  U\c\\  deposits  of  sil- 
ver and  iron,  as  well  as  many  other  minerals,  al)ound  in  both  States. 
Washington  has  been  called  the  Pennsylvania  of  the  Pacific  on  account  of 
its  vast  coal  region  lying  in  or  near  tlie  Puget  Sound  liasin. 

Stock-raising  is  also  a  great  industry,  and  the  country  is  well  adapted 
for  it  in  both  of  these  States.  The  waters  in  this  region  abound  with  fish, 
the  most  important  of  which  is  the  salmon.  Such  large  ((uantitiosof  these 
are  canned  every  year  as  to  make  it  one  of  the  most  important  industries. 
Aii  extensive  commerce  is  carried  on.  especially  with  China  and  .lapan. 
Port  Townsend  is  the  port  of  entry  in  Washington,  and  the  number  of 
American  vessels  engaged  in  the  foreign  trade  here  is  exceeded  at  two 
ports  only  in  the  I'nited  States  —  New  York  and  San  Francisco. 

Washington,  with  her  rich  and  varied  resources,  undoubtedly  has  a 
great  future  before  her.  In  the  terse  language  of  the  West,  her  people 
state  that  if  you  should  build  a  Chinese  wall  around  Washington  her 
inhal)itants  could  supply  themselves  with  everything  they  absolutely 
required  without  going  outside,  and  the  statement  is  practically  true.  In 
1858  the  population  was  less  than  4.000  for  the  entire  territory;  in  18t)0  it  had 
increased  to  349,000.  and  in  1894  it  was  estimated  at  410,0(M).  Oregon  in 
1842  had  only  two  hundred  and  forty  white  people  within  her  ))orders, 
while  in  1890  the  census  gave  the  numl)er  of  inhabitants  at  nearly  314,000. 

The  chief  city  of  western  Washington  is  Seattle,  with  a  population  of 
over  40,000.  When  we  consider  that  its  progress  has  been  made  against 
railroad  opposition  instead  of  by  the  aid  of  this  powerful  influence,  its 
size  and  business  importance  seem  almost  incredible,  and  its  public- 
spirited  men  can  hardly  lay  claim  to  too  much  credit.  From  the  harbor  it 
makes  an  impressive  appearance  because  it  is  built  in  a  manner  peculiar 
to  itself,  though  the  result  is  that  its  streets  are  exceedingly  steep.  After 
some  of  the  best  engineers  and  most  prominent  officers  of  the  army  had 
for  years  recommended  without  success  the  construction  by  the  govern- 
ment of  a  short  canal  to  unite  the  waters  of  Puget  Sound  with  the  fresh 
water  basin  of  Lake  Washington,  the  citizens  of  Seattle,  with  commend- 
able enterprise  and  pulilic  spirit,  have  undertaken  the  great  w^ork  them- 
selves. The  canal  will  be  completed  within  a  few  yeavs,and  when  finished 
will  have  cost  about  $7,000,000. 

Tacoma,  an  hour  and  a  half  distant  from  Seattle  by  water,  is  also  a 
substantial  city,  and  especially  remarkable  for  the  beautiful  homes  that 
adorn  its  streets.  It  is  the  center  of  a  large  circle  of  cultivated  people 
and,  though  it  is  not  as  large  as  Seattle,  it  has  exhibited  great  enterprise. 


Hi 


%m,J..;vmmf:M' 


liH2 


I'KKSONAL  liKCOLLECTIONS  OF 


Spokane  is  tin?  priMcipal  city  of  esisieni  VVasliiri^'toii.  It  is  a  very  active 
placfi,  with  electric  (;ars,  (electric  ii^'lits,  cal>l(;  <;ars,  (ficvators,  etc.,  though 
it  is  not  at  all  |)C('iiliar  in  these;  respects,  as  nearly  all  pro^'rr^ssive  western 
towns  hav(!  tlu;  same,  an<l  their  liotels  rsuik  with  the  finest  in  tin;  h^adin^ 
citi(!s  of  the  world.  The  S[)okane  Kiver  and  Falls  are  of  ^n^at  heanty  and 
utility. 

hhilu)  is  essentially  dilTerent  from  the  Stat(!S  we  have;  l)e(!n  (tonsiderin^ 
in  many  important  parti<uilars.     It  has  formed  siic(;essiveiy  a  part  of  Ore- 


■•»&*v  v;  ■••"^-"•<,*^?^^'  *""  •— ■^■e^ 


^■V.^'>  *  ^*i^  ..  ^ 


SniisiiMNi-:  l'',\r,i,M. 

^'on,  VV;ishin<(ton,  Utah  and  Nehniska,.  Aithon^di  explored  by  liewis  and 
Clark  on  their  famous  exf)edition,  hut  litth;  was  known  of  it  until  \W)2, 
when  j^old  was  discoverfMj  nc^ar  the  northern  hounthiry.  On  'Inly  'J,  IHIK), 
Idaho  entered  the  Cnion,  hein^'  tlu;  forty-third  State  in  the  ord(!r  of  admi.s- 
sion.     The  uauu)  Idaho  is  said  to  nu-an  "Li^lit  of  the  Mountains." 

Its  mountain  system  is  peculiar.     The  Salmon  River  range  in  the  cen- 


(;knkuai,  nkf.son  a.  mif.ks. 


im 


is  }ind 

|l  isr,2, 

jidrniH- 


inil  fMrt of  tlio  Stato  is  diio  of  the  nmst  |>irfiin's(|in'  in  Aniericsi  and  of 
itself  (rovers  an  area  as  lar^?e  as  New  .lersey.  Streams  radiate  to  nearly 
every  point  from  their  sonrces  in  this  ^n'at  centnil  ran;;e.  y(^t  they  sill  flow 
into  the  Snake  Itiver  and  thence  into  tlu^  CoJMmltia.  'I'he  crests  and  sum- 
mits of  many  of  these;  ujountjiins  rise  from  KMHM)  to  1:{.(MH)  fc'et  above 
i\w  Iev(d  of  the  sea. 

()n(5  of  the  most  remarkahle  features  of  Idsiho  is  tin;  vast  lava  ImmI 
which  <rovers  a  lar^e  area  of  that  part  of  the  State  on  tin;  east  and  south 
alont;  the  course  of  the  Snake  |{iver.  This  is  the  principal  river,  and 
drains  all  the  Sta,t<!  cvxcept  thr;  ost  nojtiu'rn  and 'the  southeastern  por- 
tions. 'IMie  Shoshone  I'alls  of  this  river  are  second  only  to  those  of 
Nia^'ara,  tim  Yellowstone  and  the  Vosemite.  The  stream  here  is  six  hun- 
dred feet  wid(s  and  above  thf;  falls  it  is  divided  l»y  fiv(!  islands  into  six 
parts.  Then,  after  flowing'  four  hundred  yanis  further,  it  passes  in  one 
unl)rok(!n  slu^et  over  a  |)r('cipic(>,  making  a  descent  of  two  liuudrfMl  and 
tvventy-fiv(;  f(;et. 

For<\sts  abound  in  the  north.  'I'liere  is  but  litthi  rainfall  in  the  south- 
ern pai't  of  the  State,  but  toward  the  center  tlierc'  is  a  heavy  snowfall  for 
several  months  in  the  year.  'I'he  climatf^  is  depend(uit  upon  tlu!  (elevation, 
and  varies  from  a,  dry  area,  of  almost  torrid  heat  alon^  the  Snak<;  Kiver 
and  till!  foot-hills  to  the  cold  of  the  mountain  peaks  wlicM'e  the  snow  lies 
frecpKMitly  through  thesiimmer.  and  ic(!  forms  nearly  every  ni^lit.  Kven  in 
winter  the  ice  and  snow  are  (>ften  rapidly  melted  by  the  (.'hin<»ok  winds 
blowin;^'  from  the  I'acilic  ('(»ast. 

'I'he  <'ount)\v  is  not  well  adapted  to  a|,ni«*ultiire.  yet  on  both  sides  of  the 
Snak(!  I{iv(^r  irrigation  has  pr'<»duced  the  same  i-esults  t  hat  it  has  in  I'tali. 
In  th(;  a,^^ni^atr;  the  }^ra/,in^  lands  form  a.  c(>nsidei-able  tract,  but  these 
hinds  are  widely  scatten^d.  There  ai-e  many  rich  min«'s  in  tlM\  States  but 
as  yet  they  have  nr)t  been  fully  devebtped.  Tlu;  .Mornutn  <'|iui<*h  is  strong' 
in  Idaho,  l)ut  as  polygamy  is  piobibited  by  law,  about  o.(M)()  Mormons 
are  practically  disfranchised.  The  lar^'est  town  is  lioise  ('My.  which  in 
IS'.M)  contained  about  JJ,iUM)  people. 


:{.S4 


I'KHSONAI,  KiaoiJJXTlONS  OF 


CTIAPTHH  XXX. 

A    rilAPTKK    Ol'T    OF    KaKLY    HisTOHY 


Idicas      (tr      Ami:uican      Siatksmkn       Fiirv      Ykahs     Aon — DiscnVKiiv     or     riii:     Cm. imiiia  — 

Ci.AiMH    or    Tin:     Umti:i»     Static    m     riii:     Noktiiwiost     Thkuithuv  —  Tm:     Ivmu.v 

MissroNx — I)|{.  Whitman  and  Mu.  Spai.dino  —  Tiik  Fikst  Ovkui,  wd  .Im  iinkv  — 

Till:     (M.i»     W'AduN — (ii;Ni:nAi,     l>  ivi:.iuv — |{i:si  i.t     in     W  vsiiiNdTuN 

ol'        I'lli:       'ri:A(IIIN(l       OF       TIIK        lllDSON       |{\V       ('(IMI'ANV  —  Till: 
PlONIUNd    TUKATV — TlIK     lilCTlHN    ,rnrilM:V     HI'     WlllTMAN 

ANi>  l-nvi:.i(>Y  —  A  (!iiAN(ii;  ni-  \ii:\v   IN    Washini;- 
Tc>N — Tin:  LicssoN  uk  tiik  Oi.d  \VA(ii>\  — 

WoHK  and  DlCATII  OK  I)|{.  WlllTMAN, 

N  our  day,  when  the  ji^reat  uorthwestoni  »)art  of  our  country  with 
its  vast  reso'ivces  is  so  well  known  and  so  thoroujifhly  appre- 
ciated, it  se^ms  almost  incredible  that  only  Hfty  years  aj?o  so 
little  was  known  of  that  region  that  a  man  like  1  )aniel  Webster 
was  willing  to  believe  it  a  ''sandy  desert."  That  this  great 
country  which  now  comprises  the  States  of  Washington,  Oregon 
and  Idaho  is  not  to-day  part  of  the  British  possessions  is 
largely  due  to  the  unselfish  exertions  of  Dr.  Marcus  Whitman, 
a  missionary  sent  out  to  that  part  of  the  United  States  by  the 
American  Board  of  Missions  in  1836. 

That  this  country,  which  was  then  known  as  Oregon,  belonged  right- 
fully to  the  United  States  there  can  be  no  shadow  of  doubt.  Captain 
Robert  Gray  of  Boston  discovered  the  Columbia  River  in  1792  and  gave 
the  name  of  his  good  ship  to  that  beautiful  and  majestic  Hudson  of  the 
West.  The  English  navigator,  Vancouver,  was  informed  of  its  existence 
by  Captain  Gray  before  he  ever  entered  its  waters.  The  second  claim  of 
the  United  States  was  based  on  the  Louisiana  purchase.  This  territory 
had  been  ceded  by  France  to  Spain  in  17()2,  re-ceded  to  France  in  1800,  and 
sold  by  the  latter  country  to  the  Ignited  States  in  1808  "with  all  its  rights 
and  appurtenances  as  fully  and  in  the  same  manner  as  they  were  acquired 
by  the  French  republic."  Although  there  was  some  doubt  whether  France 
could  rightfully  claim  the  territory  along  the  Pacific  Coast  as  far  north  as 
the  parallel  of  forty-nine  degrees,  it  was  Spain  who  disputed  her  claim, 
and  not  England. 


•   . 


i-j 


(iKNl-:i!.\I,  NKI.SON   A,   MII.KS. 


385 


I'MlllA  — 


ry  with 
appre- 
ago  so 

Vehster 

IS  great 
Oregon 

iions  is 
litman, 
l)y  the 

right- 
iCaptain 
liid  gave 
of  the 
:istence 
;laim  of 
lerritory 
ISOO,  and 
:s  rights 
.cquired 
France 
Lorth  as 
claim, 


A  tliird  claim  of  the  liiitod  States  was  liascd  on  the  explorations  of 
Lewis  and  Clark,  who  were  s(»nt  out  hy  JetTersoii  in  lS(i;{,aiid  who  followed 
the  Coliinihia  from  its  headwaters  to  its  mouth.  A  fourth  clainj  was 
hased  on  tluMictual  settlement  nuide  at  Astoria  in  isjl.  A  hfth  was  tiu' 
treaty  of  the  I  nited  States  with  Spain  in  ISIS.  wlu'U  Si»aiii  relincpiished 
any  and  all  claims  to  the  territory  in  dispute  to  the  I'nited  States.  The 
sixth  and  last  <'laim  was  the  treaty  with 
Mexico  in  IS-JS.  hy  whicli  the  I'nited  States 
ac((uired  all  interests  in  the  territory  in  (jues- 
tion  that   had  heen  claimed  l»y  Mexico. 

When  the  apiieal  of  the  Flat  Head  Indians 
of  the  Northwest  was  nuide  known  to  the  peo- 
ple in  the  eastern  part  of  the  I'nited  States,  it 
toucluMi  a  resi)onsivo  chord  and  .stirred  the 
church  to  unusu;.!  :;  *ivity.  The  Methodi.sts 
sent  out  the  Lees  in  \HlH,  and  the 


Dr.  .Marcis   Wiiitmas. 


Am<u'ican  IJoard  tried  to  get  the 
right  men  to  .send  with  them,  but  ; 
were  unable  to  do  .so  until  185J5, 
when  they  sent  out  Dr.  Marcus 
Whitman  and  the  Kev.  Samuel 
Parker  upon  a  trip  of  discovery. 
On  reaching  (Jreen  Kiver,  Dr. 
Whitman  and  Mr.  Parker  met 
large  Imdies  of  Indians,  who  en- 
deavored to  induce  them  to  remain, 
and  it  was  decided  that  Dr.  Whit- 
man should  return  to  the  East,  and, 

after  making  the  neces.sary  arrangements,  snould  return  the   following 
year. 

After  hearing  Dr.  Whitman's  report  the  American  Board  at  once  decided 
to  occupy  the  Held.  He  had  for  a  long  time  been  engaged  to  marry  Miss 
Narci.ssa  Prentice  of  Prattsburgli,  New  York,  who  was  as  enthusiastic  with 
respect  to  work  among  the  Indians  as  Dr.  Whitman  him.self.  The  Board 
did  not  consider  it  expedient  to  send  the  young  couple  alone,  so  the  day  of 
the  wedding  was  deferred  while  search  was  being  made  for  suitable  per- 
sons to  accompany  them.  The  Kev.  H.  H.  Spalding  and  his  wife,  who  had 
been  recently  married,  were  at  length  induced  to  go.  Then,  all  other 
necessai'y  arrangements  having  been  made,  Dr.  Whitman  and  Miss  Prentice 


:\ 


i 


! 

Ill 


;{sr» 


I'KUSONAL  I:K('()|J,K(  TIONS  OF 


I    I 


i  ! :  1 


I)r,  Whitman  persisted  in  haulinjj:  alonj^  tlio  waj^on  which  aftcrwuid  had 
so  miu'h  in''.iieiH'o  on  the  destiny  of  that  country.  It  was  always  getting 
stnek  in  the  creeks  and  rivers  and  hein^'  upset  on  the  steep  mountain  sides, 
and  made  it  necessary  for  him  to  walk  over  all  the  most  ditticult  i)ortious 
of  the  way.  Kven  his  wife  did  not  sympatliize  with  him  in  this  effort,  hut 
with  undaunted  courage  he  persisted,  realizing  the  importance  of  getting 
it  through. 

On  reaching  the  Oreen  River  they  were  met  l)y  the  Cay  use  and  Nez 
Perce  Indians,  who  were  awaiting  the  return  of  Dr.  Whitman  and  the  boys 
who  had  left  them  the  year  before.     The   Indians  were  delighted  to  see 


UKNKltAI-  NKI-SON   A.  MIKKS. 


an? 


tlioin  aiul  piiid  tliciii  tho  most  (IcIicatiuittPiitiniis.  Alter  tlio  little  iniMsion- 
ary  ])aiMl  reacluMl  W:il!u  Walla,  itrioro  dccitliii^'  on  a  peniiaiuMit  lociitioii, 
tlioy  (Iccitlcil  to  <'onsiilt  the  nilinj;  powers  of  Orr^'oii.  the  olfirials  of  tla» 
lliulsoii  hay  Company,  at  Vaiiciuiver.  |)r.  McKoii^'iiiiiij'liief  lactor of  this 
<'oiiii)any.re<*(»iv(Ml  them  cordially  and  derided  that  hr.  Whit  man  had  better 
iie^^iii  his  work  in  the  Walla  Walla  roiintiy  three  himdred  miles  away, and 
Mr.  Spalding'  a  himdred  and  twenty-li\(^  miles  fnrther  on. 

hr.   Whitman  imilt   his  little    hons(>   on   a    [leninsnla    formed  hy   the 
Itranches  of  the   Walla  IJiver,    in  what  is  now 
<)n(M)f  the  most  tertile  and  hoautifnl  portions 
of    Washin^don.     The   Indians  called  it 
Wai-i-lat-i»ui.    meanin}^'    "the 
plac(M>f  ry(^  ^Mass.''     Oneoftiie     v 
lirst   elTorts  (d"    Ih.   Wiiitnnin     X'^. 
was    to     indnce     his    Indians         O 
to  rai.se  their  own  j?rain,  fruits 
and  vegetables. 

All  the  missionaries  in  that 
part  of  the  country  believed 
that  under  the  existin^'treaty 
between  the  Tnited  States 
and  i  ireat  liritam  the  nation 
which  first  settled  and  or- 
<,'aiii/ed  the  territory  would 
hold  it.  The  glowing  accounts 
given  of  the  soil,  climate,  great  for- 
ests and  indications  of  mineral 
wealth  had  induced  a  small  numher 
of  Americans  to  immigrate,  and  in  the 
vicinity  of  each  mission  was  quite  a  popula- 
tion of  farmers  and  traders.  In  1S40-41 
many  of  them  met  and  discussed  the  subject 
of  organizing  a  government  under  the  American  Hag.  but  were  unable  to  do 
so.  being  outnumbered  by  the  English.  In  the  fall  of  bS4'J  Elijah  White,  an 
Indian  agent  for  the  government,  brought  a  party  of  Americans,  men,  women 
and  children,  numbering  one  hundred  and  tw'enty.  to  Waiilatpui.  Among 
this  party  was  a  most  intelligent  gentleman,  (Jeneral  Amos  L.  Lovejoy, 
who  was  thoroughly  informed  in  national  affairs,  and  told  Dr.  Whitman  of 
the  treaty  then  pending  between  England  and  the  United  States  regarding 


The  ()i,i>  Waoox. 


|i- 


i 


yiTr-         -  llHMil 


•SSJfflS^RS    J^^-^  __^ 


.<(l    ' 


'!'■:! 


I 


^'1 


rKIJSONAI,  KKCOLI.KCTIONS  OK 

the  bouiulary  line  between  the  United  States  jiiid  the  British  j)ossessi()iis  in 
North  America, 

The  statesmen  of  tliis  period  were  ij,Miorant  on  the  (juestion  of  the 

meat  valne  of   tlie  territ(n-y  in  dispnte.  and  the  ••interminable  desert." 

"arid  plains"  and  "impassable   monntains"   were   constantly  qnoted   as 

im[)(>diments  in  the  way  to  a  conntry.most  of  which  was  ••as  irreclaimable 

and  barren  a  waste  as  the  Desert  of  Sahara."    All  this  i«Mioiance  was  the 


^rf:r-<=^f^  I  V. 


WiiriMW   l'i.i:\i)iN(i  i(.i!  <)iti:(i()\   |{i;r(.i!i:   Damki,  Wkissti'h   and  I'kksidiont  Tayi.ok. 

resnlt  t)f  the  teachin^^s  of  the  llndson  Hay  Company,  which,  wishing'  to 
secnre  a  monopoly  of  the  country,  constantly  decried  it  and  endeavored  to 
persuade  all  outsiders  of  its  worthlessness.  in  this  they  succeeded  so  well 
that,  althou^di  our  statesmen  were  thoron^dily  persuaded  of  the  justice  of 
the  claims  of  the  I'nited  States,  tliey  re}j:arded  thecounti-y  as  bein<j  of  so 
little  value  that  they  were  very  little  coiu*erned  when,  in  the  Ashburton 
Treaty  of  l.S4:5.  ()rej>()n  was  a^^ain  i^niored.  the  mind  of  Daniel  Webster, 
the  then  Secretary  t»f  State.  havin<i:  been  concentrated  during'  the  negotia- 
tions on  the  question  of  a  few  thousand  acres,  more  or  less,  in  jMaiue. 


;■   i 


ons  hi 

of  the 
Lvsert," 
ted  as 
iniable 
ina  the 


(;knki{al  nelson  a.  mii.ks. 


3S<) 


ll.OK. 

fhin^  to 
(vored  to 
so  well 
istice  of 
II <j  of  so 
|h  hurt  on 
IVehster. 
pegotia- 
liie. 


When  (leneral  liovejoy  left  for  Oregon  this  treaty  was  still  under  con- 
sideration, and  when  through  him  Dr.  Whitman  learned  of  the  state  of 
affairs  at  Washinj^tcm.  he  determined  to  ^'o  there  and  explain  to  the  author- 
ities the  true  value  of  the  country  they  were  about  to  allow  to  slii)  from 
their  grasp.  He  consulted  with  his  brother  missionaries  and  received 
their  hearty  concurrence. but  they  w(>re  not  \villin<;  to  aUow  him  to  under- 
take sucha  journey  alone.  When  a  vohmteer  was  called  for.  (ieneral  Love- 
joy,  who  had  just  Hnished  his  tedious  Hve  months'  journey  to  Oregon, 
promptly  offered  to  retrace  his  way  to  assist  Dr.  Whitman  in  his  ^'reat 
endeavor. 

Before  leavin*;.  Dr.  Whitman  mad(»  a  visit  to  Fort  Walla  Walhi  to  pro- 
cure the  necessaries  for  his  journey,  and  \vhih>  there  an  express  messenger 
of  the  Hudson  May  C'ompany  arrived  from  Fort  Colville.  three  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  up  ti  ■  Columbia,  with  the  anm»uncement  that  a  colony  of 
one  hundred  and  forty  Englishmen  and  Canadians  were  on  their  way. 
Great  was  the  joy  among  the  Englishmen  present,  and  a  young  priest 
expressed  the  sentinu>nts  of  most  of  the  peo[>le  present  when  he  threw  his 
cap  into  the  air  and  shouted,  "Hurrah  for  Oregon  —  Anu>rica  is  too  late; 
we  have  got  the  country!"  Naturally  Dr.  Whitman  did  not  share  in  the 
general  pleasure,  but  carefully  avoided  all  mention  of  his  purpose  in  going 
to  Washington,  and  on  his  return  to  his  home  hastened  his  preparations 
for  departure.  On  the  third  day  of  Octo{)er,  1S4'J,  he  bade  his  y«Ming  wife 
a  reluctant  good-bye.  and  with  (Seneral  Eovejoy  and  one  guide  set  out  on 
a  journey  whose  success  or  failure  meant  so  much  to  our  whole  country. 

He  reached  Fort  Hall,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Idaho,  at  the  end  of 
eleven  days,  and  thus  far  the  journey  was  comparatively  easy,  as  each 
member  of  the  party  was  familiar  with  the  road.  Captain  (Jrant.  the  com- 
manding officer  at  Fort  Hall,  had  for  years  done  all  in  his  power  to  dis- 
courage immigration  to  that  part  of  the  country,  and.  with  the  single 
exception  of  Dr.  Whitnum,  he  had  been  uniformly  successful  in  persuading 
settlers  that  they  would  be  unable  to  move  their  wagons,  and  cons(»(iuently 
the  greater  part  of  their  goods,  across  the  mountains,  thus  compelling  them 
to  go  on  horseback  or  on  foot  for  the  remainder  of  the  way.  He  now 
susi)ected  that  the  missionary  had  some  important  business  on  hand,  and 

'  >ssness  of 


ry  po 


av 


»l» 


crossing  the  l\ocky  Mountains,  already  covered  with  snow  in  some  plac:es 
twenty  feet  deep,  and  on  the  almost  certain  death  of  anyone  who  might 
encounter  the  Fawuee  or  Sioux  Indians  who  were  then  at  war  with  each 
other. 


I     , 


m) 


TKUSONAL  lIKCniJ.KC'TIONS  OK 


iE! 


Dr.  Wliitnian  fully  reali/od  the  dilliculties  and  dangers  attending'  his 
enterpriso,  hut  \w  ivIustHl  to  rrturu  and  Captain  (Jrant  had  no  authority 
to  stop  him.  as  ho  carried  with  hiiu  a  iK'rniit  sijjjnod  "  liOwis  Cass,  Secretary 
of  War."  Instead  of  turning  hack  he  .set  out  in  a  soutlieasterly  direction 
over  a  route  to  the  States,  untrodd(Mi.  as  far  as  he  knew,  hy  tlie  foot  of  a 
white  nuin  The  course  he  pursued  took  him  past  the  vicinity  of  the 
present  Salt  liake  City,  Fort  I'intah  in  the  luu-theastern  part  of  Ttah,  Fort 
riu'ompahgre  in  the  W(\stern  |>ait  of  Colorado,  and  from  tiiere  down  into 
New  Mexico  to  Santa  Fe.  thence  hack  into  Colorado  to  IJent's  Fort,  from 
which  point  his  way  lay  in  a  jjrenerally  easterly  direction  through  the 
States  of  Kansas  and  Missouri  to  St.  Louis. 

The  weather  the  little  party  encountered  was  terribly  severe,  and  they 
were  obliged  to  change  guides  several  times.  (Mi  their  way  to  Taos.  New 
Mexico,  they  met  with  a  terrible  snowstorm  which  comitelled  them  to  seek 
shelter  in  a  defile  of  the  mountains,  where  in  spite  of  all  efforts  to  get 
away  they  were  detained  for  ten  days.  At  the  end  of  that  time  they  con- 
trived to  make  a  fresh  stai't,  but  soon  encountei'ed  a  snowstorm  so  severe 
that  it  almost  blinded  them  and  made  the  mules  unnumageable.  At  last 
the  guide  stopi)ed  and  acknowledged  that  he  could  show  them  the  way  no 
further,  and  on  attempting  to  retrace  their  steps,  they  found  that  all  traces 
had  been  completely  covered  by  the  fast  falling  snow.  They  knew 
not  which  way  to  turn,  and  after  coming  so  far,  it  seemed  that  they  must 
perish  in  the  snow  with  their  errand  still  unaccomplished. 

In  this  extremity  (general  Lovejoy  tells  us  that  "Dr.  Whitman  dis- 
mounted, and,  upon  his  knees  in  the  snow,  commended  himself,  his  distant 
wife,  his  missionary  companions  and  work,  and  his  Oregon,  to  the  Inlinite 
One  for  guidance  and  protection. 

"The  lead  mule,  left  to  himself  by  the  guide,  turning  his  long  ears  this 
way  and  that,  finally  started,  plunging  through  the  snowdrifts,  his  ]\Iexican 
guide  and  all  the  party  following  instead  of  guiding,  the  old  guide  renuirk- 
ing:  'This  mule  will  find  the  camp  if  he  can  live  long  enough  to  reach  it.' 
And  he  did." 

On  returning  to  the  camp  the  guide  i-efused  to  go  any  further  with 
them,  which  was  a  terrible  blow  to  Dr.  Whitman  as  they  had  already  lost 
much  valuable  time.  He  told  (ieneral  Lovejoy  to  remain  in  the  cam})  and 
rest  while  he  returned  to  Fort  Fncompahgre  for  another  guide,  whom  he 
brought  back  at  the  end  of  a  week.  The  dirand  Kiver  at  the  point  they 
encountered  it,  was  about  six  hundred  feet  wide  :  for  two  hundred  feet  on 
either  shore  the  water  was  frozen  solid,  and  a  terrible  torrent  two  hundred 


(JKNKIJAI,  NKLSON   A.   MILPJS. 


im 


n^  his 
liority 
•retiiry 
ret'tion 
lot  of  a 
of  the 
,h,  Fort 
ni  into 
•t,  from 
ijjjh  the 

\u\  they 
i)s.  New 

to  seek 
:s  to  get 
ley  con- 
o  severe 

At  last 
)  way  no 
.11  traces 
jy  knew 
ley  must 

man  (.Us- 
s  distant 
Infinite 

lears  this 

iMexican 

re  mark - 

•each  it.' 

lier  with 
:»ady  lost 
[ami»  and 
Ivhom  he 
)int  they 
Id  feet  on 
1  hundred 


feet  wide  rushed  Itetween.  The  guide  dechired  that  it  was  inipossil)le  to 
cross,  but  Dr.  Whitnum  plunged  boldly  in,  and  his  horse  with  great  ditli- 
culty  succeeded  in  swininiing  to  the  other  shore,  and  tlienthe  rest  followed. 
Owing  to  the  many  delays,  they  had  consumed  all  their  provisions,  and 
were  obliged  to  subsist  upon  a  dog  and  a  mule  they  had  killed,  but  on  reach- 
ing Santa  Fe  they  were  again  abundantly  supplied  with  provisions. 

When  near  Heut's  Fort,  Colorado.  Dr.  Whitnum  pushed  ahead  to  try  to 
meet  a  party  of  men  who  he  had  heard  were  on  their  way  to  St.  Louis. 
But  he  lost  his  way,  and  when  he  Hnally  reacluMl  the  fort,  some  time  after 
his  com[)anions  arrived  there,  he  was  exhaustiM]  and  almost  discouraged. 
Still,  he  delayed  only  a  single  night,  and  hurried  on  to  overtake  the  party 
which  had  already  started,  while  (leufM-al  jjovejoy  renuiined  at  the  fort 
until  he  had  recovered  from  his  exertions. 

The  trail  to  St.  Louis  was  a  most  dangerous  one,  being  infested  with 
wild  beasts  and  savages,  but  he  reached  that  town  in  safety  and  learned 
that  the  Ashburton  treaty  had  been  signed  August  t).  1S4"J,  nearly  two 
months  before  he  left  Oregon.  But  this  treaty  only  related  to  the  Maine 
boundary,  so  there  was  still  hope  that  he  would  be  in  time  to  save  Oregon 
for  the  Ihiion. 

When  he  reached  the  capital  he  was  worn  and  exhausted,  and  his 
hands,  feet  and  eai's  had  all  been  frozen;  but  he  cared  little  for  this  if  the 
President  and  Secretary  of  State  would  only  grant  him  an  interview  to 
enable  him  to  explain  to  them  the  great  mistake  they  would  make  if 
they  permitted  Oregon  to  slip  from  their  grasp,  and  this  he  had  no  difii- 
culty  whatever  in  securing. 

Long  before  Dr.  Whitman  reached  Washington  there  was  an  under- 
standing that  the  settlement  of  the  boundary  question  between  Oregon 
and  the  British  possessions  had  been  delayed  because  there  were  negotia- 
tions pending  looking  to  the  exchange  of  the  American  interests  in  Oregon 
for  the  fisheries  of  Newfoundland.  When  he  heard  of  this.  Dr.  Whitman 
assured  Mr.  Webster  that  it  would  be  better  to  barter  all  New  England  for 
Newfoundland  rather  than  part  with  Oregon.  He  told  President  Tyler 
and  Mr.  Webster  of  the  fertile  soil,  of  the  healthful  climate,  of  the  great 
forests,  of  the  indications  of  mineral  wealth,  only  to  be  met  with  the  su])- 
posed  unanswerable  ol)jection  that  all  this  could  not  matter  since  Oregon 
was  shut  off  by  impassable  mountains,  and  a  great  desert  which  made  a 
wagon  road  impossible.  It  was  then  that  the  heroic  missionary  had  his 
reward  for  all  his  toil  and  trouble  in  hauling  his  old  wagon  across  the 
country,  for  he  could  now  reply:    "  ]\lr.  Secretary,  that  is  the  grand  mistake 


'i 


S)      ;    i. 


11 


'  i 


i^i 


PKliSOXAL   KKCOI.l.Kl  TIONS  OF 

that  has  lieen  made  l)y  listening?  to  tlie  enemies  of  American  interests  in 
OrejJTon.  Six  years  a^o  1  was  told  that  there  was  no  wa^on  road  to  Ore^'on. 
and  that  it  was  inii)ossihle  to  take  a  wairon  there,  and  yet  in  des])ite  of 
pleadinjrs  and  almost  threats.  1  took  a  wajj^on  over  the  road,  and  have  it 
now."  Tliis  i)lain  statement  had  an  effect  which  any  amonnt  of  argnment 
and  oratory  could  not  have  produced. 

It  was  a  new  ex[terience  to  these  experienced  politicians  to  meet  a  man 
who  could  plead  so  <'lo(iuently  tor  the  cause  of  his  country,  and  still  have 
no  selfish  interests  of  his  own  to  serve,  and  when  he  asked  that  they  would 
not  l)arter  away  Ore^'on  until  they  had  given  him  an  opi)ortunity  to  lead  a 
hand  of  stalwart  Anwrican  settlers  acr(>ss  the  plains,  they  could  not  well 
refuse.  After  receiving  this  promise  he  hurried  to  Boston  to  report  to  the 
missionary  hoard,  who  in  turii  severely  censured  him  for  leaving  his  station. 

Meanwhile  (Jeneral  Lovejoy  had  published  far  and  wide  that  l)r.  Whit- 
man and  himself  would  lead  a  party  of  emigrants  ucross  the  country  to 
Oregon  early  in  the  spring,  and  a  rendezvous  was  appoiut(Hl  not  far  from 
the  spot  where  Kansas  City  now  stands,  '{'he  gi-ass  that  yeai-  was  late  and 
the  hand  of  emigrants  did  not  start  until  the  first  week  in  June.  The 
journey  was  long  and  (hmgerous,  lut  was  safely  accomplished,  and  when 
in  September  one  thousand  immigrants  with  their  wagons  and  stock 
entered  the  long  disputed  territory,  the  hearts  of  Dr  Whitman  and  all 
other  patriotic  Americans  with  him  thrilled  with  joy  as  they  realized  that 
at  last  Oregon  was  saved  to  the  Tnion. 

riuit  Dr.  Whitman  was  the  means  of  saving  Oregon  to  the  United 
States  there  can  be  no  doubt.  A  Senate  document,  the  forty-first  Congress 
February  U,  1S7I.  reads:  "There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  arrival  of  Dr.  Whit- 
man, in  lS4o.  was  opportune.  The  delay  incident  to  a  transfer  of  negotia- 
tions to  Ijondon  was  fortunate,  for  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  if  former 
negotiations  had  been  renewed  in  Washingt(m.  and  that  if  for  the  sake  of 
a  settlement  of  the  protracted  controversy  and  the  only  remaining  unad- 
judicated  cause  of  difference  lietween  the  two  governments,  the  offer  had 
been  renewed  of  the  41)th  parallel  to  the  Columbia  and  thence  down  the 
river  to  the  I'acilic  Ocean,  it  would  have  been  accepted,  'i'he  visit  of 
Whitman  committed  the  President  against  any  such  action."  I^efore  Dr. 
Whitman  left  AN'ashlngton  a  nn^ssage  was  on  its  way  to  Mi',  Evei'ett.  our 
minister  to  Kngland  telling  him  that  "the  Cnited  States  will  consent  to 
give  nothing  below  the  latitiulc  of  forty-nine  degrees." 

After  Dr.  \\  hitman's  return  to  W'aiilatpui  he  resumed  his  labors  among 
the  Indians,  and  for  a  number  of  vtars  devoted   himself  entirelv  to  their 


\v. 


ests  in 

pite  oi 
havo  it 
[uineiit 


ji  man 

ill  have 

y  would 

0  loatl  a 

not  well 

•t  to  the 

;  station. 

r,  Whit- 

untry  to 

far  from 

late  and 

ne.    The 

md  w  hen 

nd   stock 

and  all 

ized  that 

|e  United 

Congress 

iDr.  Whit- 

iiojjjotia- 
if  former 
le  sake  of 
iii<f  nnad- 

otTer  had 

Llown  the 

|(>   visit  of 

[before  l>r. 

lerett.  our 


M)ns( 


ut  to 


ors  amon 


y 


to  liu'ii' 


CHIRICHUA  APACHES  AS  THEY  ARRIVED   AT  CARLISLE. .FROM   FORT   MARION.   FLORIDA ,  NOVEMBER   4,    1HH5. 


^    ^ 

^ 

?T''*" 

"^^^^JWJ 

■£ 

f     " 

^ 

\ 

■"v* 
\  ,» 

a  ^''^E^l^^^l 

*•■ 

.    "0^ 

Wfm,.-,  'f*\'j,^-« 

k.'^mi 

[ 

''W 

^SH^^^^I 

^Vj.*^>*^ 

^1 

n 

C 

> 

J 

i^Sj^^H^^H 

THE  SAME  CHILDREN   FOUR   MONTHS  AFTER   ARRIVING  AT  CARLISLE.— ^KK    1'.\<.K  :i.'iil. 


]m 


■';  '■'> 


Vi') 


Mr 

|( 

k' 

> 

1 

1 II 

i 

III 

(JKXKHAJ.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


895 


interests,  healing'  the  sick,  teaching'  the  i^niorant.  aiul  counting  no  labor 
too  great  if  it  resulted  in  their  beneht.  Yet  the  Indians  seemed  chan«red. 
When  the  Whitmans  tirst  began  to  work  among  them  thev  were  willing 
to  comply  with  all  re(iuests,  but  now  for  some  years  a  feeling  of  dissatis- 
faction had  been  slowly  creeping  in.  I'he  missionaries  insisted  on  their 
cultivating  the  ground  and  supporting  themselves  by  their  own  hibor,  and 
of  this  mode  of  life  the  Indians  soon  grew  weary.  They  were  also  insti- 
gated to  deeds  of  violence  by  various  enemies  of  the  missionaries.  Al- 
though Dr.  Whitman  was  aware  of  the  existence  of  this  hostile  spirit,  it 
seemed  impossible  to  believe  in  the  existence  of  any  real  danger  in  the 
face  of  his  loving  service  among  them  for  eleven  years,  when  on  the  2Sth 
of  November.  1(S47,  an  Indian  named  Istikus.  who  was  the  tirm  friend  of 
Dr.  Whitman,  told  him  of  threats  against  his  life  and  also  that  he  had  bet- 
ter "  go  away  unti^  my  people  have  better  hearts  "  Knowing  Istikus  as  he 
did,  the  brave  missionary  for  the  first  time  became  seriously  alarmed,  and 
began  to  think  of  removing  his  family  to  some  place  of  safety,  but  still 
went  about  his  work  as  usual. 

The  next  morning  the  doctor  assisted  in  burying  an  Indian,  and  having 
returned  to  his  house,  was  reading.  Several  Indians  were  in  the  house ; 
one  sat  down  by  him  to  attract  his  attention  by  asking  for  medicine,  while 
another  came  behind  him  with  a  tomahawk  concealed  beneath  his  blanket, 
and  with  two  blows  brought  him  to  the  floor  senseless ;  still  he  was  not 
dead  when  another  Indian,  who  was  a  candidate  for  admission  to  the 
church  and  on  whom  Dr.  Whitman  had  bestowed  numberless  benefits, 
came  in  and  cut  his  throat  and  mutilated  his  face,  but  even  then  the 
murdered  man  lingered  until  nearly  night.  This  was  only  the  beginning  of 
a  most  sickening  massacre  in  which  fourteen  people,  including  Mrs.  Whit- 
man, lost  their  lives. 

It  was  believed  by  those  familiar  with  the  facts  that  this  foul  massacre 
was  instigated  by  the  enemies  of  the  people  murdered  and  of  tlie  cause  in 
which  they  were  engaged. 

Despite  his  cruel  and  bloody  death,  the  missionary  work  of  Marcus 
Whitman  was  far  from  fruitless.  Though  the  work  of  the  American  Board 
ended  so  suddenly  and  disastrously,  years  afterward  it  was  found  that 
many  of  the  Indians  were  still  faithful  to  the  religion  taugiit  them  by  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Whitman.  Neither  will  his  name  be  forgotten  so  long  as  the 
walls  of  Whitman  College  stand  as  a  monument  to  the  memory  of  a  man 
who  was  glad  to  suffer  untold  privations  for  the  gf»od  of  his  country  and 
his  fellow  men.  and  at  last  perished  through  his  devotion  to  his  duty. 


h.   t!l 


Hl)() 


TKUSOXAF.  liKCOI.I.KCTIONS  OF 


If  Dr.  Whitiuiin  vouWl  today  iiiaKotlR'  loii^' journey  from  theColunibia 
to  the  national  caiiital  on  tlie  Itanks  of  tlie  I'otoniac.  and  nmU\  the  insti- 
tutions of  ieiirnin^'and  eiiui'c'-  .'jtires  now  standing'  in  tlie  districts,  villa^^es, 
towns  and  eities  thron^'li  which  he  would  pass  he  i)laced  in  line  jit  con- 
venient distances,  he  would  never  for  a  moment  he  out  of  sij^dit  of  these 
uhjects  most  pleasing  to  him  in  life. 


; 


Mil 


, 


GENKIJAL  NELSON  A.  MII.K8. 


UU7 


Colunilna 
the  insti- 
^,  villa^os, 
,0  at  <•<>»- 
t  (»f  those 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Department  of  the  Columbia. 

The  Inpian   Sign  LANorA(;K  —  Tiik  (Jiiin<hik    LANtavdH  —  VANroivKR    Barracks  —  Troops    iN 

THE       DkHARTMKNT — WuRK       AcCDM  I'l.ISII  i:|) — I'.NKXI'l.dRKl)      UlMiloNS —  KxiMODITtoN      OF 

LlKVTKNANT    SVMnNS  —  OK    LiKl  TKN  ANT     I'llORCK  —  OTIIKU    SlRVKYH  —  ViMIT     OK 

tlKNKRAI.    SlIKR.MAN  —  Kl'I'KCT  OF  liAII.ROAl)    lillLIUXd  —  NkW    (!oAMT 

BaTTKRIKS — UksI'.KVATIoNS       AM)      NlMIIKR      uK      IsDIANS. 


,11: 


riic  (lUTi'i'i'iicc  liciiiir  tluit  the  <li'iif  unites  use  (lur  CdniiiniTi  nliihiibi't.  ciicli  sij;ii  jiicMiiiii)^  a  Icttir,  iirid  tlint 
NViirilh  Mil'  ill  tlicii-  wiiy  simIIimI  ciut  by  tlii'in  ui  tiilkiii^'.  Tn  llic  IMiims  iMdiiiiisnn  iil|iliMlii't  wiis  uiikUDwn,  and 
Wi'.h  tluMii  ii  sign  niinlit  cxprfss  iiii  iiiiiiiuil.  :iii  (ircurrciici',  n  (l;iy.  iiii  I'litiri'  fact  uf  any  iiiiiil. 


JVJS 


I'h'HSONAI,   IfKCOl.LKC'I'lONS  OK 


fl,'  i 


! ,  J 


Oil  the  I'acitic  Coast,  ninl  is  still  iiiMlcrstood  by  sonic  of  tlic  triltcs  now  iii 
Aiiiska. 

\'a!i('oiiV('i'  IJarnicks  was  located  near  the  town  (»!'  Vancouver,  on  the 
C'ohiinhia,  and    upon   a  mesa   ii  few  hiiinh-ed  feet  ahove  the  h'vel  of  tliat 

river,  on  a  coniniaiid- 
iii<i;i)osit  ion  overh  Mik- 
ing' the  hea  n t i  f n  I 
valley,  and  within 
si^'ht  of  the 
l)ictiires(|ue 
('  a  s  c  a  (I  e 
ran^'e.  which 
einhraces  a 
c Inster  of 
the  grandest 
mountains 
on  the  con- 
tinent. 'J'he 
post  was  at 
that  time 
commanded 
h  y  Colonel 
11  t'nry  H. 
M  o  r  r  o  w , 
Twenty- 
First  In- 
fantry, a 
most  accomplished  and  ^^allant  soldier  and  a  man  of  ^reat  learninj^.  He 
was  a  hue  lawyer,  havini;  been  a  judge  on  the  bench  in  Michigan  during  a 
period  of  ten  years  at  a  very  early  age.  He  afterward  won  high  dis- 
tinction in  the  Civil  War,  reaching  the  rank  of  general,  and  being,  in 
addition,  breveted  for  extraordinary  gallantry. 

I  found  in  the  Department  of  the  Columbia  a  force  of  over  fifteen 
hundred  troops,  located  at  the  various  military  stations  which  were  scat- 
tered o\er  a  territory  (not  including  Alaska)  aliout  two  hundred  and  fifty 
thousand  square  miles  in  extent.  This  vast  region  was  then  occupied 
only  by  scattered  settlements,  ranches,  mining  camps,  and  isolated  homes, 
Tt  was  also  the  home  of  bands  of  nomadic  Indians.  The  interests  and 
welfare  of  the  two  races  were  constaiitly  clashing,  and  there  was  danger 


Till-:  Si(iN    l.\\(iiA(iK. 


f       ! 


1         I 


(iKNKIJAI.  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


:!!)•.) 


of  srrioiis  liostilitit's  at  any  iiioiiUMit.  Tlu'  wliilc  srttlcrs  looked  to  lli*' 
aniiy  for  dctViicj'.  and  tlic  linliaus  in  turn  a|ntlit'd  to  tin.' inilitary  for  the 
protection  of  their  ri;>dits  and  privile;.'es. 

In  oi'der  to  make  the  l»est  use  of  tfoojis.  measures  wei'e  taken  to  facili- 
tate communication  hetween  tiiese  scattei-ed  posts,  to  aid  in  the  concentra- 
tion of  the  avaihihie  foi-ces,  and  at  the  same  time  to  promot«'  tiieir  <^enei'al 
elliciency.  In  aihlition  to  their  ordinar.N  (hit  i«'s  tlu*  troops  we  I'e  put  to 
work  in  the  construction  of  military  I'oads  and  the  estahlishment  of 
military  tele^'raph  lines.  These  m»t  <mly  addeij  to  the  elliciency  (d'  the 
military  tor<M',  hut  also  greatly  henetited  the  <'iti/ens.  Measures  were  also 
taken  at  all  the  military  posts  to  improve  the  i»hysical  condition  of  the 
ti'()0[ts  hy  a  thorough  system  of  athletic  dr'ills  and  (>.\ei"cises.  ('(donel 
Morrow  was  one  of  the  first  to  estahlish  what  iuis  since  Ikhmi  so  heiielicial 
to  the  army,  the  Canteen  Exchange.  This  is  really  a  post  clul>  for  the 
heiietit  of  the  soldiers.  One  of  the  first.  largest,  and  hest  of  the  military 
gymnasiums  was  estahlished  at  Vancouver. 

During  this  year  facilities  were  atforded  the  soldiers  with  families  to 
provide  homes  for  themselves  at  tiie  expiration  of  tlieir  term  of  service, 
and  to  secure  suitahle  employment.  All  the  troops  in  the  department 
were  thoroughly  e«inipi)ed  for  immediate  field  service;  eacli  company,  troop, 
and  battery  was  nnide  a  unit  of  organization  and  demonstration.  Ka<*h 
had  its  allowance  of  field  e([nipment.  incduding  tents,  field  supplies,  trans- 
portation, cooking  utensils,  extra  clothing,  hospital  supplies,  and  every- 
thing re([uired  for  immediate  and  continuous  service  in  the  field,  and  enough 
to  last  for  several  months. 

In  the  department  were  several  sections  of  country  that  had  not  been 
fully  explored,  and  other  sections  of  whose  topography  there  was  no 
knowledge  whatever.  With  a  view-  of  obtaining  the  knowledge  \vhi(di 
would  be  indispensable  in  case  the  country  had  to  l)e  occupied  by  the 
military,  and  that  would  also  be  valuable  to  citizens  seeking  a  knowledge 
of  those  districts,  I  organized  several  exploring  expeditions,  in  fact, 
during  the  four  years  in  which  1  was  in  command  of  that  department, 
there  was  constantly  some  expedition  in  the  field  obtaining  infornnition 
about  those  interesting  and  to  a  great  extent  unknown  portions  of  our 
country. 

In  January,  1SS2,  Lieutenant  Thomas  W.  Symons  made  an  exploration 
and  examination  of  the  Columbia  River  from  the  line  of  Ih-itish  Colum])ia 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Snake  River,  and  obtained  much  valuable  information 
concerning  that  extensive  district. 


,1 


'    ' 


'M:' 


tlH) 


j'Ki!S(»N.\i,  i;i;('ni.i.K(ri(>.\>  ok 


III. Inly  of  tlir  saiiu'  >«';'.•■  iiii   rxpi'ditiuii  was  oi';:aiii/.tMl  t<»  cxplon' t  lu> 


i) 


.!t| 


n'}.'i(»ii  iM'twct'ii  tiM'  iipiMT  (  oiiiiiihia  ami  \'\\)sv\  ^oiiikI.  fiicii  hut  UftM» 
kiiiiuii.  It  was  a  siiiall  (>\p<><liti(>ii.  and  was  plai'(><l  iiii<l<>i'  tlir  ('oiiiinaiMJ  *>! 
Liciitt'iiaiit  llnirv  II.  Pit'i-cc  of  t lie  Twnity-lirst  I'liittMl  StsiU's  Infant ry. 
will)  i>erl'i)nnnl  tli(>  duty  in  a  iiiost  t'lliciciit  iiiaiiiirr. 

Aftrr  inal\iii;«'  tlic  nrccssary  pi'cparat  loiis  at  Fort  Culvillc.  tlir  ai»»>\o 
incntioncd  cxprditicdi  left  that  pla<'<>  on  t  lie  lirst  of  Auj^Mist.  and  t  lir  next 
day  ci'osscd  the  ('oliiinhia  !>>  fciTy  and  ciiranipctl  on  the  wcstci'ii  side. 
Kroiii  tluM'<'  tlic  (  oluinlda  was  skirted  alon;.'a  }.Mtod  trail  for  a  ilistancc  (d' 
six  niiit's;  llicnce  the  rxpcflitioii  inovrd  wcstwai'd  past  lofty  niountains. 
dashing' torrents  and  l»('autiful  lakes,  fording' numerous  crecdxs  and  rivers, 
and  at  the  end  of  ten  days  reached  the  dkinakam'.  a  swift,  deep  river  that 
flows  into  the  Columhia  fi'om  the  north, 

Kroiii  one  of  his  camps  on  this  i-iver,  liieiitenant  IMerce  desired  to  send 
hack  a  tele|iraiii  and  letters  to  Kort  ('(dville.  and  «'n;,fa}ied  an  old  Indian  to 
cai'ry  tluMii.  hefore  ;^i\in^'  the  Indian  his  compensation.  Lieutenant 
I'ierce  asked  him  if  he  was  an  lion(>st  man;  not  that  he  douhtcMl  him.  hut 
he  w  ish'Ml  to  hear  his  answer.  \\  ith  ^n"eat  <li^fnity.  and  with  sonietliin|4 
of  an  injiii'ed  look,  the  old  man  replied.  "  .Me  honest  Indian.  Me  afraid 
t«»  do  w  ronj^  for  fear  some  one  thei'e."  poiiitiii;^:  upwards,  "see  me  and  he 
aiiury."  Then  shakin;^'  hamls.  he  immnted  his  pony  and  rode  slowly 
awa,\ . 

Leaving'  the  Okinakaiie.  they  passed  over  lo  the  Metlmw.  The  lattei-  is 
a  l)eautiful  stream,  so  clear  that  the  ;_'ranite  Itoiilders  heiieath  its  surface 
may  he  i)lainly  seen  as  it  winds  alonj;  its  tortuous  course,  frinj^^ed  on  either 
sid(»  w  ith  ixijdars.  halms  and  evei'^M'(>ens,  tuid  draining'  an  extreme' v  fertile 
country.  Then,  still  moxin;,'  towai'd  tlio  west,  they  journeye<l  on  ix'twcen 
lofty  mountains  and  over  diz/y  paths  where  a  downward  j^lance  was 
enoiijzh  to  make  tli(>  lirmest  head  to  I'ee!;  lordiii;^"  turi)uleut  rivers,  piishiii;,^ 
throu;;h  almost  im[tenet  lahle  iinderhi'ush.  crossing'  swampy  ai'eas.  they 
went  on  until  at  last  they  <.'aiued  the  passaue  of  the  main  cascades.  Here 
tiM'y  wci'e  Iteset  l»y  so  many  obstacles  that  it  was  almost  iinpossihle  for 
them  to  pi'oceed  fm-thei'.  hut  their  coiii'ai:(>  and  piM'severance  tinally  ovei'- 
canu>  every  dilliculty  and  they  reached  the  other  side  of  the  mountains  in 
safet>'.  From  here  tlH\v  followcnl  th(»  coui'se  of  the  Cascade  l\i\er.  cross- 
ing; it  several  times,  down  to  th(»  point  where  it  (>mi)ties  into  the  Skagit. 
For  their  [)assaire  down  that  rivei'  they  wow  foi'tuuate  enout^h  to  (ditain 
canoes  fi-inn  the  Indians,  and  on  Septeml)er  0.  landeil  at  Mount  N'ornon  to 
await  the  comin«'  of  the  steamer. 


s 


lit    tittl«< 

lllillKl   <)t 

iifiiiitrv. 


w  aiM»\o 


III' 


next 


iTii  siilr. 
itaiicc  ol" 

MllltilillS, 

1 1  rivers, 
i\rf  tliiit 


to  send 
iidiiiii  to 
iMitciiaiit 
liiiii.  Itiit 
tiiictliiii^' 
Ic  iilraid 
t'  and  Ito 
'    slowlv 


latter  is 
Is  siirl'an' 
)ii  ('it  liei' 


v  II 


rtile 


[IM't  WI'CU 

luce    was 
l>iisliiii;^ 
tlipy 

lllMO 


as. 


Isihli'  lor 
Illy  over- 
litaiiis  in 
|i'.  cross- 
SUajjfit. 


o  ol) 


tain 
Lriioii  to 


(iKNKU.M.  NKI.SON   A.  MII.KS. 


m 


ii  5  ,t 


'     'Jl    .!■ 


if  8 


\i   J 


40: 


l'l<:i{S()N.\[.  I»'K('()I,F,KCT1()NS  OK 


I  , 


/IS 


'(3 


i    s 


ii 


Ufciit  adistanco  as  would  previously  liave  occiiiMcd  sovoral  wocks.  As  faras 
possible,  I  (liscoiitiniK'd  the  small  and  iiielT<M'tive  posts  and  concentrated 
Hie  troops  in  lar^^er  jjfari'isons  where  they  would  have  better  a<lvanta^'es  in 
the  way  of  insli'nction  and  discipline,  and  could  he  maintained  at  less  ex- 
pense. Fort  Canhy  at  the  mouth  of  th(M"olund»ia  h'iver.  Forts  Walla  Walla, 
ISi)ol<ane.  ('(cnr  d'Alene,  and  Sherman,  were  nuide  the  [trincipal  posts 
of  the  de|>artment.  with  trooi>s  stationed  for  immeiliate  use  in  the  sec- 
tions of  country  most  liable  to  Indian  hostility,  while  Vancouver  IJai'i'acks 
served  as  a  station  for  a  strong'  reserve  lorce  for  the  eutii-e  departmtMit. 
This  last-named  i)ost  was  particularly  adapteu  to  the  |>uri)ose  mentioned, 
owin^to  its  near  pi'(».\imity  to  I'oi'tland.  Ore^'on.  which,  from  its  i-ailroad 
connection  and  river  and  ocean  service,  was  accessible  from  all  sections 
of  the  country. 

In  1>SS4,  in  spite  of  us  *j:reat  commercial  importance,  and  the  lai^je 
numb(M-of  thrivin*;  towns  that  had  ^mowu  u|)  on  its  shores,  l*u<,'et  Sound 
wasK^td'  in  a  detenseless  c(mdition.  'V\w  ^ovei'umcMit  had  reserved  im- 
poiiaii  sites  for  batt(M'ies  and  defensive  works  at  the  entraiu'e  vof  the 
sound  and  dnrinj,^  the  year  mentioncMl  I  ordered  a  l)oard  of  experienced 
artillery  otlicei>  to  r(»poi-t  as  to  their  relative  imi)ortance,  and  the  proper 
armament,  j^an  isoii.  and  work  necessary  to  place  them  in  proper  condi- 
tion for  use. 

Having  oci-asion  to  mount  one  battery  of  artillery.  I  secured  several 
Motchkiss  revolving  cannon,  invented  by  an  Anu'rican  and  numufactured 
in  Paris,  France,  and  the  residt  of  the  practice  with  these  was  most  satis- 
factory. Although  the  fact  of  a  <'annon  IxMug  lired  from  the  shoulder  of 
an  artillerist  seemed  somewhat  novel,  yet  experience  proved  these  guns  to 
be  the  most  destructive  that  had  up  to  that  time  been  used  in  the  United 
States  army.  It  is  singular  that  many  AnuM'ican  inventors  have  to  go  to 
Europe  to  h.ave  tlieir  inventions  adoi)ted.  ll<M'e  was  a  case  of  an  American 
otlicer  on  the  Pacific  t*oast  making  a|»itlicati()n  for  a  (pertain  class  of  artil- 
lery guns;  they  were  manufactured  in  Paris,  bought  by  our  government, 
shipped  across  the  Atlantic,  then  across  the  continent  and  placed  in  service 
on  the  Columbia  Hiver. 

Initruction  in  signaling  and  the  fainiliari/ing  the  troops  with  the  use 
of  the  latest  modern  appliances  received  attention  at  all  the  posts  in 
the  d(  {)artment,  and  experiments  were  made  with  the  heliostat  with 
mo^t  gratifying  results.  From  \'ancoiiv<M-  Marracks  to  the  summit  of 
Mount  Hood,  fifty  miles  in  an  air  lin(\  these  Hashes  of  the  heliostat  could 
be  distinctly  seen  w  ith  the  naked  eye. 


Ill  I. 


Vs  far  as 
Mit  rated 
ta^os  in 

less  cx- 
a  Walla, 
al  posts 
the  sec- 
Uarracks 
artiuent. 
MitioiRni, 

railroad 
I  sections 

the  lar^^o 
ot  Sound 
■rved  ini- 
ee  of  the 
perieneed 
he  proper 
per  condi- 

hI  several 
ufaetured 
lost  satis- 
loulder  of 
|se  ^uns  to 
he  United 
b  to  ^o  to 

American 
Is  of  artil- 
Ivernnient, 

in  service 

Ih  the  use 

le  posts  in 

l)stat  witli 

lummit  of 

Istat  could 


r.KNKIJAI,  NKI.SON   A.   MIl.KS. 


4o;{ 


Owin^' to  tlie  rapid  settlenuMit  of  thecomitry  the  lower  ('oluin!)ia  In- 
dians were  in  many  cases  unjustly  deprived  of  their  ciiltivateil  ^'rounds, 
their  salmon  lisiu'ries.  and  (►ther  nu'ans  of  suppoi-t.  and  I  had  ^mtiiI  «lilli- 
culty  in  preventinji;  active  hostilities  l>el\v(>en  them  and  the  settlers.  The 
Indians  wen^  linally  pacilied.  howoNcr.  and  nundters  of  them  were  assist(>d 
hy  the  militiiry  in  locatin^MluMr  claims  to  homesteads  untler  the  hiws  of 
t'on«iress. 

In  the  Territory  of  Washin^don  then*  were  in  ISSJ  nf(e(Mi  Indian  nv^er- 
vations.  iidiahited  hy  over  ten  thousand  six  hundretl  Indians.  The  total 
amoiMit  of  land  comprised  within  these  i-eservatioiis  was  over  six  hundred 
thousand  aci'es.  and  consisted  lai'^ely  of  the  best  aj^rii'uitin'al,  ^'ra/.in^. 
tindter  and  mineral  lands  in  the  Territory.  In  numy  [daces  the  Indians 
were  enga|j;ed  in  cultivating^  the  soil  with  jjfood  results,  the  syst<Mu  of  al- 
lottin*;  a  suital>le  quantity  of  land  to  them  in  severalty  having;  a  nn)st 
excellent  effect. 


i    i 


il 


I 


I 


n''il 


\i^ 


f  r 


404 


PERSONAL  KECOLLECT10X6  OF 


'I     [ 


I    »■! 


U  >l 


f  -i 


;  f 


\    I 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 
Chief  Moses  and  His  Tribe. 

Tnr:  B'^GixNiNCt  of  TRorBi.E  —  Chikf  Moses  and  the  Moses  Heservation  —  Causes  of  Dissatis- 
faction—  Al'TION    OF    ('ol.ONEI,    MeRKIAM  —  IXVESTKIATION     RY     CaI'TAIN     RaM)WIN  — 

Meeting   and    Coincii,  at   Vanooivek  —  A   New    Treaty    and  a   New 
Reservation  —  The  Kesii.ts  —  Looi'loop's  Statement  of  the 
Situation  —  Review  of  the   Nez  Perce  Situa- 
tion ON  Their  Final  Hetirn  from 
the  Indian   Territory. 

ONTKOVEKSIES  arose  in  1S7S  between  the  Indians  of  the 
upper  Columbia  and  the  white  people  of  Yakima  County  and 
vicinity.  These  troubles  ev.entually  resulted  in  the  arrest  of 
Chief  ]\l()ses,  who  was  a  prominent  character.,  although  many  of 
the  Indians  did  not  recognize  him  as  having  any  authority  over 
them.  Chief  Moses  -^as  kept  in  prison  for  some  time,  Imt  this 
did  not  allay  the  restlessness  of  his  followers,  and  additional 
troops  were  sent  to  the  Yakima  Yalley. 
In  1S79  Closes,  with  a  number  of  other  Indians,  was  sent  to  Washington. 
Avliere  he  made  a  treaty  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  by  which  a  tract 
of  land  was  set  apart  for  the  use  of  himself  and  his  i)eoi)le.  This  reserva- 
tion was  bounded  on  the  east  l)y  the  Okinakane  River,  on  the  south  by  the 
Columbia  and  Lake  Cheh.n,  on  the  west  by  the  forty-fourth  parallel,  and 
extended  to  the  Canadian  boundary  (ui  the  north.  The  country  in  question 
eml)raced  approximately  four  thousand  two  hundred  square  miles,  known 
as  the  Moses  reservation,  aiid  was  worth  many  millions  of  dollars. 
Certain  white  men  afterward  declared  that  they  had  discovered  mines  and 
occu[>ied  ranches  on  this  reservation  long  before  it  was  tr.msferred  to  the 
Indians.  This  region  was  rich  in  agricultural,  pastoral  and  mineral 
resources  and  contained  rich  deposits  of  gold  and  silver. 

The  benehts  intended  to  be  secured  by  this  treaty  did  not  last  very 
long,  as  Moses  and  the  other  Indians  soon  complained  that  its  various  pro- 
visions were  not  carried  out  by  the  goveriHuent.  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
citizens  who  had  made  their  homes  in  the  reservation  before  it  became 
such,  remonstrated  strongly  against  a  treaty  l)y  which  they  were  deprived 
of  their  property  and  rights.     These  settlers  had  discovered,  had  claimed 


GENERAL  NEI.SOX  A.   MILES. 


405 


F  D188ATIS- 
!N  — 


s  of  the 
»unty  and 
tirrest  of 
1  many  of 
oiity  over 
3,  but  this 
iidditional 

ashington. 
ch  a  tract 
s  reserva- 
ath  by  the 
rallel,  and 
in  ({uestion 
les,  known 
lof  doUars. 

mines  and 
Irred  to  the 

d   mineral 

It  hif^t  very 
larious  pro- 

)ther  hand, 
it  l)ecame 

ce  deprived 
lad  claimed 


according  to  law.  and  had  actually  worked  valua!)le  mines  located  in 
Stevens  County.  There  had  even  been  voting  i)recincts  established,  and 
elections  had  been  held  within  its  boundaries,  in  spite  of  these  facts, 
when  the  Moses  reservation  was  set  apart  by  executive  order  all  these 
people  were  peremptorily  told  that  they  must  leave  that  part  of  the 
country,  althor.gh  some  of  them  had  lived  there  for  mauy  years.  They, 
however,  did  not  all  obey  the  order.  The  Indians  grew  more  and  more 
dissatisHed,  and  Moses  demanded  that  if  the  white  peoi>le  would  not  leave, 
they  should  at  least  ac- 
knowledge their  holdings 
to  be  on  an  Indian  reserva- 
tion and  ask  his  permis- 
sion to  work  their  mine;: 
An  executive  order  restor' 
strip  of  land  fifteen  miles  wi 
of  the  Canadian  boundary 
much  resented  by  the  Fndiai 

At  last  there  were  rumors  that  a  generi 
war  council  of  the  Indians  had  been  caller 
whereupon  Colonel  Merriam,  a  very  intell 
gent  and  judicious  officer  of  the  Seconc 
Cnited  States  Infantry,  the  con>- 
mander  at  Fort  Spokane, 
signed  the  duty  of  adjusting  the 
causes  of  dispute.  This  he  endeavored 
to  do  l)y  rigidly  excludinj.'  white  settlers 
from  any  part  of  the  Moses  reservation 
south  of  the  Hfteen-mile  limitof  thestrip 
a))0ve  mentioned,  that  had  been  restored 
to  the  public  domain  l)y  executive  order.  Indians  who  had  ftirn  ■!  on 
this  strip  were  recog)iized  by  him  as  having  the  same  rights  on  urireserved 
public  land  as  the  white  people  had. 

In  May,  1SS8,  Captain  Baldwin,  one  of  the  most  judicious  and  compe- 
tent officers  I  had  in  that  department,  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  Moses 
and  Colville  reservations,  and  investigate  the  reported  dissatisfaction  of 
the  Indians  located  there.  On  the  (.'olville  reservation  he  succeeded  in 
meeting  Tcmasket.  head  chief  of  the  Okinagans.  and  found  him  an  intelli- 
gent, industrious  Indian,  much  respected  by  all  his  people  as  v.cll  as  ])y 
the  white  settlers.     He  said  that  neither  he  nor  his  band  desiifMJ  to  have 


WATi"IIIX(}    TlIK    ('itMIN(i    i)E-    TIM:    WllITK    -MaN" 


I    I 


.,f 


i 


f!'  U' 

Hi   III 


1  HI 


406 


PEliSONAL  liECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


s 


I  i ; 


(J.M'TAIN    HaI.KWIN 


! 


trouble  with  the  white  people,  ])ut  on  the  contrary  wished  to  live  in  peace 
with  them  if  possible.  He  conii)lained  that  their  a^^ent  had  not  visited 
them  for  sevei'al  years.  'I'hese  Indians  greatly  desired  a  j^ristmill,  as  they 
were  oblij^^ed  to  take  their  grain  thirty  miles  into  British  Columbia  in  order 
to  have  it  ground,  and  even  then  the  miller  claimed  one- 
half  of  it  for  toll.  They  were  also  anxious  for  a  sawmill 
and  other  ai)pliances  used  by  civilized  people. 

After  Captain  Baldwin's  conversation  with  Tonasket, 
Sarsopkin,  a  chief  of  the  Okinagans  on  the  Moses  reserva- 
tion, came  to  him  to  have  a  talk.  This  Indian  and  his  fol- 
lowers were  the  ones  who  really  had  to  suffer  from 
the  restoration  of  the  tifteen-mile  strip,  as  they  had 
lived  within  its  boundaries  and  cultivated  the  farms 
there  for  many  years.  Sarsopkin  expressed  a  strong 
desire  to  remain  in  the  place  which  had  been  his 
home  for  generations,  but  disclaimed  all  idea  of 
using  force  to  maintain  his  rights.  His  people 
were  farmers  and,  for  Indians  and  considering  the  fact  that  they  had  re- 
ceived no  aid  or  encouragement  from  the  government,  were  in  an  ad- 
vanced stage  of  civilization. 

All  the  Indians  who  were  approached  on  the  subject,  united  in  expres- 
sing the  same  views;  and  all  complained  very  bitterly  because  Moses  was 
recognized  by  the  government  as  their  chief.  Both  Tonasket  and  Sarsopkin 
asked:  "  Why  does  the  government  place  over  us,  who  make  our  living  by 
farming,  a  man  who  never  works,  but  gambles,  drinks  and  races  horses 
with  the  money  he  collects  from  the  white  men  who  graze  cattle  on  our 
reservation?  We  want  a  chief  who  works,  and  sets  a  good  example  for 
our  young  men."  Nearly  all  the  Indians  expressed  a  desire  to  have  the 
white  people  come  among  them  and  work  the  mines,  but  emphatically  ex- 
pressed their  determination  not  to  allow  them  to  usurp  the  farming  and 
pasture  lands.  They  reasoned  in  this  way:  "When  the  white  men  come 
and  get  the  money  out  of  the  rocks  they  will  give  it  to  us  for  what  we  can 
grow  from  the  ground,  and  for  our  cattle  and  horses,  and  in  this  way  we 
will  get  rich  like  the  white  men  " 

Begardless  of  these  friendly  protestation.-v  on  the  i>-AYi  of  many  In- 
dians, the  hostile  feeling  l)etween  the  two  races  increased  until  it  became 
so  violent  that  a  serious  Indian  war  was  threatened,  'i'he  white  people 
seemed  determined  to  exterminate  the  Indians,  and  the  Indians  to  annihi- 
late the  white   settlers  or  drive  them  out  of  the  country.     Realizing  the 


GENERA r.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


407 


in  peace 
t  visited 
,  as  they 
in  order 
led  one- 
sawmill 

'onasket, 

reserva- 

d  his  fol- 

tter  from 

they  had 

the  farms 

a  strong 

been  his 

[   idea  of 

is  people 

ly  had  re- 

n  an  ad- 

n  expres- 
loses  ^»'as 
arsopkin 
living  by 
horses 
e  on  our 
mple  for 
have  the 
jically  ex- 
iling and 
len  come 
,t  we  can 
way  we 

lany  In- 
It  became 
Ite  people 
lo  annihi- 


izmg 


the 


difficulties,  expenses  and  sacritices.  as  well  as  the  cruelties  of  Indian  war- 
fare, I  thought  it  better  if  possible  to  endeavor  to  secure  justice  for  the  In- 
dians, and,atthesame  time,  protection  for  the  whitesettlers,  1  thereto  re  sent 
outotiicers  to  find  Chief  Moses  andotheriiroiiiinent  men, andsummon them 
to  my  headquarters  at  Vancouver,  for  counsel.  When  tiiey  came  T  listened 
to  all  their  grievances  and  their  statements  of  what  they  believed  to  be 
their  rights;  what  they  expected  the  government  to  guarantee  to  do  for 
them,  and  also  to  their  recital  of  the  aggressions  of  the  white  people,  lalso 
heard  the  accounts  of  the  depredations  of  the  Indians  and  their  trespasses 
upon  the  property  of  the  white  settlers.  With  a  view  of  settling  the  whole 
difficulty  without  proceeding  to  hostilities.  I  obtained  permission  to  send  a 
delegation  of  the  Indians,  accompanied  by  Captain  Baldwin,  to  Washing- 
ton, that  they  might  have  an  opportunity  to  negotiate  a  treaty  that  would 
be  satisfactory  to  both  Indians  and  settlers,  and  at  the  same  time  be  cred- 
itable to  the  general  government. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1883,  they  made  an  agreement  with  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  whereby  they  engaged  to  give  up  all  claim  to  the  Colum- 
bia or  Moses  reservation,  and  remove  to  the  Colville  reservation.  In 
consideration  of  this  concession,  Moses  and  Tonasket  were  to  receive  an 
annuity  of  $1,(MI0  each  as  long  as  they  lived.  Mose^  was  also  to  receive 
a  house  costing  $1,(100.  For  the  benefit  of  the  whole  number  of  Indians, 
two  schooihouses  were  to  be  built  and  two  sawmills  and  gristmills.  There 
were  to  l)e  pro^'ided.  three  teachers,  two  sawyers,  two  millers,  and  one 
doctor,  for  the  use  of  each  of  whom  a  house  was  to  l)e  erected.  Four 
hundred  and  sixty  cows  were  to  be  furnished,  as  well  as  a  lai-ge  number  of 
wagons  and  agricultural  implements.  The  Indians  already  located  on 
the  Moses  reservation  who  wdshed  to  remain  were  to  be  allowed  to  take 
up  land  there  in  severalty  under  existing  laws. 

On  the  81st  of  August  an  order  was  issued,  directing  Captain  Baldwin 
to  visit  the  Indians  concerned  in  this  agreement  and  explain  to  them  all 
its  terms  and  effects.  First  Lieutenant  James  Clio.  Second  liieutenant 
John  S.  Mallory,  and  Topographical  Assistant  Alfred  Downing  were 
detailed  to  assist  him  in  carrying  out  these  instructions. 

All  necessary  preparations  having  been  concluded  at  old  Fort  Colville, 
on  September  10,  Captain  Baldwin  directed  Lieutenant  Flio  to  proceed  to 
the  southern  portion  of  the  Closes  reservation,  explain  the  agreement  to 
the  Indians,  and  should  any  of  them  desire  it.  locate  and  carefully  survey 
for  each  head  of  a  family  or  male  adult,  a  tract  of  land  containing  not 
more  than  six  hundred  and  fortv  ao'es. 


'  f  *  . 


'Mil 


lit 


nmtm 


m.' 


ii 


!  ,1 


I'EHSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 

r()lt()<;ra]»lural  Assistant  I)()\viiiii<j:  was  detachod  iimlcr  onlers  to  pro- 
ceed to,  and  caret'ully  examine  the  falls  of  lionai)arte  (.'reek  and  the 
Xespilene.  where  it  was  i»ro})osed  to  locate  tlie  pi'oniised  sawmills  and  jxrist- 
niills.  Iii(Mitenant  Malloi-y  remained  with  the  main  party  nntil  the  HUh, 
when  he  was  sent  to  that  ]»art  of  the  Colnniltia  reservation  lying  north  of 
the  region  to  be  examined  hy  Lientenant  I'lio. 

The  resnlt  of  his  own  investigations  satisfied  Captain  lialdwin  that 
great  good  had  been  effected  by  the  visit  of  the  three  chiefs  to  Washington. 
They  had  all  carefnlly  ex[)lained  the  agreement  to  their  people,  who 
seemed  dis})osed  to  look  npon  it  fav(n'ably.  Sarsojtkin  and  his  following, 
withont  an  exception,  were  willing  to  move  to  the  C'olville  reservation. 


many  of  them  hav- 
far  as  to  select  the 
fntnre  homes.  On 
\\  a  1  d  w  i  n  d  i  s  - 
ger  to  Moses  to  no- 
desired  to  see  him, 
rived  on  the  even- 
h  a  v  i  n  g  ridden 
day.  He  said  that 
m  a  d  e  n  }>  their 
him  to  the  C'olville 
won  Id  be  ready  as 
season  was  over, 
made  up  of  what 
"wild"     Indians; 


'"> 


('hkhi'iis,  Indian  Babies  in  Tmkiu  Cradles. 


mg  even  gone  so 
location  of  their 
the  iSth  Captain 
patched  a  niessen- 
tify  him  that  he 
and  the  chief  ar- 
ing  of  the  'JOth. 
eighty  miles  that 
all  his  i>eople  had 
minds  to  go  with 
reservation,  a  n  d 
soon  as  the  lishing 
This  band  w  a  s 
were  known  as 
they  had  always 
(salmon)  and  game 
farminy:. 


depended  upon  fish 

for    food,     and     knew    absolutely    nothing    al)ont 

Tonasket.  the  principal  chief  of  the  Colville  Indians,  was  a  man  of  great 
force  of  character.  Although  he  had  received  little  or  no  help  from  the  gov- 
ernment, he  exhibited  a  deep  interest  in  the  fortunes  of  his  people,  urging 
them  to  work  and  take  up  lands,  but  his  greatest  desire  was  to  see  a  suit- 
able school  provided  for  them.  He  and  his  people  not  only  consented  that 
all  the  Indians  on  the  Columbia  should  establish  themselves  on  the  Colville 
reservation,  but  that  all  others  who  wished  to  settle  down  and  become 
industrious  farmers  should  enjoy  its  benefits.  Captain  Baldwin  was  much 
pleased  with  the  me'ibers  of  Tonasket 's  band,  considering  them  further 
advanced  in  civilization  than  any  Indians  he  had  seen  west  of  the  Missis- 
sii)pi. 


_    / 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


409 


()  pro- 
ud the 
1  ^rrist- 
e  UUh, 
n'th  of 

[U   tluit 
iii^ton. 
e.   who 
lowing, 
ivatiou, 
rone    so 
f    their 
Captain 
niessen- 
that    he 
■hief  ar- 
[\e    '2<»th. 
lies   that 
Dple  had 

o-o  \vith 
n.  a  n  d 
lie  tishinuj 

d     \\'  a  s 

lown    as 
]    always 

ind  game 

In  of  great 
II  the  gov- 
lle,  urging 
lee  a  snit- 
nted  that 
le  Colville 
d  liecome 
^vas  much 
m  further 
Ihe  Missis- 


Lieutenant  I'lio  visited  a  number  of  families,  live  of  whom  consented 
to  allow  him  to  locate  farms  for  them.  He  also  had  a  conversation  with 
Chelan  Jim.  who  had  become  the  recognized  chief  of  a  small  band  of  Indians. 
At  first  this  man  refused  to  either  locate  any  land  or  to  move  on  the 
Colville  reservation,  but  afterward  lie  consented  to  consider  the 
matter. 

Lieutenant  Mallory.  after  leaving  Captain  Baldwin's  camp  near  the 
junction  of  Curlew  Creek  with  Kettle  Hiver,  continued  over  the  Little 
Mountain  trail  to  the  mouth  of  the  creek  just  mentioned,  and  from  there 
over  a  magnificent  belt  of  country  to  the  lake  where  the  creek  takes  it 
source.  This  lake  proved  to  be  a  beautiful  body  of  v  :iter  about  eight 
and  a  half  miles  in  length.  Soon  afterward  he  came  to  another  lake,  much 
smaller  than  the  first  and  oval  in  shape,  which  proved  to  be  the  source  of 
the  San  Polle  Kiver.  He  had  never  schmi  a  map  on  which  either  of  these 
lakes  was  noted.  Having  crossed  the  Okinakane  and  marched  along  its 
farther  bank  for  some  distance,  he  came  upon  several  ranches  owned  l)y 
Indians.  One  of  them  named  Looplooj)  was  a  man  about  fifty  years  of  age. 
with  a  thoughtful,  intelligent  face.  In  a  long  talk  with  iiieutenant  Mallory 
this  Indian  expressed  his  opinion  very  freely,  l)oth  concerning  the  preten- 
sions of  Moses  and  the  general  situation  of  affairs,  and  as  he  voiced  the 
sentiments  of  a  great  nuiny  others  his  words  are  worth  repeating.  He  said: 
"There  are  four  things  above  all  others  which  you  white  men  tell  us  we 
should  avoid;  lying,  thieving,  drunkenness  and  murder.  Moses  is  a  liar; 
Moses  is  a  thief;  Moses  is  a  drunkard,  and  Moses  is  a  murderer.  Yet,  he  is 
the  man  you  have  set  as  chief  over  us.  and  he  is  the  man  you  send  to 
Washington  to  represent  us.  He  has  traded  away  our  rights,  he  has  sold 
our  lands,  and  there  is  no  help  for  us.  He  will  have  a  tine  house  built  for 
him  and  will  get  one  thousand  dollars  every  >ear.  and  he  and  his  peojile 
will  be  given  wagons  and  harnesses  and  numy  cows.  ii(»oploop  is  not  a 
beggar;  he  has  never  asked  nor  received  any  help  from  the  government, 
nor  does  he  ask  it  now.  He  is  al)le  to  take  care  (tf  himself;  and  all  that 
he  asks  is  to  be  let  alone.  When  .Aloses  came  back  fi-om  Wasiiington  the 
first  time,  there  was  a  great  council  between  the  whites  and  the  Indians. 
General  Howard  stood  up  in  the  midst  and  said:  'The  Indi:ins  have  for 
many  years  been  wanderei's  from  i)lace  to  place  and  tliei'e  has  been  no  rest 
for  any  of  them,  but  now  they  are  to  iuive  a  reservation  —  Moses  —  v^liich 
Avill  be  a  home  for  them  forever.  While  the  mountains  stand  an<l  the 
rivers  run  the  land  is  to  be  theirs,  their  children's  and  their  children's 
children's  forever.' 

31—24 


K 


1% 


:  :>[' 


m 


Vi 


In','      tl'    '    I      !' 


• !  ■  •! 


li!         f 


410 


TEKSOXAL  HKCOLLKCTIOXS  OF 


Indian  Weapons. 


1.  Comancht'  Toniiihawk. 

2.  etc  TonialiHwk  I'ipf. 

3.  Bow  Case  and  Qiiivi'i'  (if  the  Bannock  Indians. 
4-5.  Sloiix  War  ('liil)H. 

0-7-8.  Sioux  Bows  and  Arri)W.=. 


ii.  ('oinanclif  War  Sliicld, 
Kt-ll.  Sioux  War  (.'hil)S. 
V2.  CkiinaMchc  Tomahawk  I'iiie. 

13.  Toinaliawk    Tipc   whicli    oni'i'    belonged    to    Little 
Bear,  a  proniinent  chief  of  the  Nortliern  Apuches 


l!llj.il!l 


II 


GENKHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


411 


"  The  Indians  heard  ;  they  believed  and  were  satisfied.  Scarcely  four 
years  have  passed  by  and  we  are  told  that  we  must  leave  this  reservation, 
this  land  which  was  to  l)e  our  home  forever,  llovv  do  we  know  that  if  we 
move  to  the  Colville  reservation  we  will  be  left  in  peace?  Why  should  we 
not  be  driven  from  there  in  a  few  years,  and  then  what  "an  we  do?  There 
is  no  other  place  left.  Hut  you  tell  us  that  we  who  do  not  recognize 
Moses  or  any  other  chief,  are  not  obliged  to  leave  our  home;  that  you 
will  mark  out  for  each  of  us  a  scjuare  mile  and  will  set  stakes  so  that  no 
white  man  can  take  the  land  away  from  us;  and  you  wish  to  know 
whether  we  will  go  or  stay.  There  are  but  few  of  us  here,  and  our  blood 
IS  the  same,  but  our  minds  are  different.  As  for  me,  why  should  I  go? 
Here  I  have  a  house,  and  fields  that  raise  oats  and  hay  and  all  kinds  of 
vegetables.  When  white  men  pass  through  here  they  need  these  things 
and  pay  me  for  them.  Did  you  not,  yesterday,  give  me  $25  for  one  thou- 
sand pounds  of  oats?  With  money  in  my  pocket.  I  feel  that  I  am  a  man, 
and  respect  myself.  Why  should  I  give  up  all  this,  and  move  on  the 
Colville  reservation,  to  become  a  wild  Indian  again?  But  I  am  getting  an 
old  man  now.  My  daughter  is  married  and  has  children.  T  love  them, 
and  like  to  be  with  them  ;  but  my  son-in-law  thinks  he  will  go  on  the 
Colville  reservation.  My  only  son  has  two  sons;  sometimes  he  thinks  he 
will  go,  and  again  he  thinks  he  will  stay.  Our  hearts  are  sad,  and  we 
know  not  what  to  do.  You  must  give  us  time  to  think  and  talk  among 
ourselves,  and  we  will  then  tell  you  whether  we  will  go  or  stay.  But  we 
cannot  tell  you  to  ^  ',  or  to-morrow,  or  for  many  days  to  come.  Leave 
us  now,  and  return  ..t^er  we  have  had  time  to  think  ;  we  will  then  know 
our  minds,  and  what  we  say  we  will  do." 

Eventually,  though  only  after  much  indecision,  the  Indians  concerned 
in  the  matter  all  yielded,  and  the  treaty  went  into  full  effect.  But  a  long 
period  elapsed  before  the  government  completely  fulfilled  its  part  of  the 
agreement.  Nevertheless,  there  was  a  marked  improvement  almost 
immediately.  In  1S85,  when  Captain  Bal'^v.in  once  more  visited  the 
valley  of  the  Okinakane,  where,  in  1883,  he  had  found  only  half  a  dozen 
farms,  thgre  were  hundreds  of  acres  fenced  and  under  cultivation,  ahuost 
every  available  spot  on  the  river  and  its  tributaries  was  occupied,  and 
large  herds  of  domestic  stock  belonging  to  the  Indians  were  grazing  on 
the  hills. 

In  1885  I  at  last  succeeded  in  having  the  remnant  of  Chief  Joseph's 
band  of  Nez  Ferce  Indians  brought  back  from  the  Indian  Territory  to  the 
vicinity  of  their  old  home,  as  stated  in  a  preceding  chapter.     Popular 


,  .'11 


'11 


l,n«.'d    to    Little 
fthern  Apaches 


i;t! 


M 


.1  , 


TEKSONAI.  |{K("()I.I,K(TI()NS  OF 


feoliiijj:  in  Idalio  Territory  was  (h-cidcdly  a;j:aiiist  tluMii.  Several  Nez  Perce 
warriors  were  under  iiidictnient  tor  Jiiiirders  perpetrate*!  in  IsTT.  and  as 
tliei'e  liati  been  riunors  of  threats  of  violence  on  tlie  part  of  some  of  the 
white  people,  every  |»i'ecantion  was  taken  to  prevent  collision  hetween  them 
and  the  Nez  I'erc/'s  while  the  latter  were  on  their  way  hack  to  the  North- 
west. The  Nez  IVi'<'«''s  entei'ed  the  Depai'tment  i)\  the  Columhia  in  .hine 
hy  way  of  the  I'nion  I'acilic  and  Ore^^on  Short  liine  Hallways,  and  were 
met  at  I'ocatello  hy  Captain  Frank  lialdwin,  who  was  then  actinj,'  jnil^'e 
advocate  of  that  department. 

After  their  arrival  they  were  divided  into  two  parties,  one  ])rocee(lin<; 
under  military  escort  to  the  Lapwai  aj^rency  in  Idaho,  and  the  oth;  r. 
includinj^'  Chief  Joseph,  to  the  Colville  reservation  o|)posite  Fort  Sp(d<ane. 
The  Indians  who  wei'e  taken  to  the  Lapwai  a^^ency  numhered  (»ne  hnndi'ed 
and  sixteen  persons,  who  soon  disa|)peared  amon^f  their  rela.ives  and 
friends.  I'pon  tluMr  arrival  thirty  days  rations  were  sni)plied  them,  hut 
after  that  they  wei-e  self  snpi»ortin<^'  with  the  excejition  of  a  few  of  the 
aged.  Some  of  them  afterward  showed  a  desii-e  to  visit  their  old  haunts 
in  the  Wallowa  \'alley.  hut  readily  ac(piiesced  when  told  that  it  was  not 
advisable  for  them  to  do  so.  Altogether,  tlieii-  conduct  was  most  peaceful 
and  satisfactory. 

That  portion  (.f  the  band  immediately  under  Chief  -loseph.  numbering 
one  hundred  and  lifty  per.sons.  was  in  a  most  destitute  condition,  and 
many  of  them  must  have  starved  if  the  military  had  not  come  to  their 
assistance.  They  were  poorly  clad,  and  were  ol)liged  to  live  in  thin  cotton 
tents.  They  had  no  cuttle,  tools  or  implements  of  any  kind,  those  left 
behind  in  the  Indian  T(M"i'itory  not  having  been  replaced.  Jioth  Chief 
Joseph  and  those  under  him  showed  every  <lis[)ositi()n  to  make  homes  f(tr 
themselves,  to  settle  down  and  live  like  white  people,  and  to  conform  to 
every  requirement  of  the  government. 

The  tribe  of  Nez  Perces  was  originally  a  confederacy  of  numei'ous  bands, 
each  with  its  own  chief.  Primarily  the  tribe  occupied  a  large  extent  of  terri- 
tory west  of  the  Bitter  Koot  Mountains  in  Washington.  Idaho  and  Oregon, 
their  title  running  back  to  a  time  l)efore  the  memory  of  man.  In  June. 
1^55,  a  treaty,  which  I  have  alluded  to  in  a  previous  chai)ter,  was  concluded 
between  the  Cnited  States  and  the  Nez  Perces.  by  the  terms  of  which  a 
large  part  of  their  country  was  ceded  to  the  United  States,  the  Wallowa 
Valley  being  embraced  within  the  land  reserved.  Several  chiefs  protested 
against  this  treaty,  and  Looking  Class  and  the  father  of  Jo.seph  signed  it 
much  au;ainst  their  will.     In  this,  as  in  nianv  other  cases  where  an  Indian 


ami  as 
■  ol"  the 
I'll  thiMii 

Nortli- 
iii  -luuc 
11(1  wriv 

x'ccdiii^' 

10    otlfM'. 
■^IKtk'.lllC. 

luuKlrcHl 
ivi's  ami 
lioiu,  but 
■w  of  the 
kl  haunts 
;  Avas  not 
peaceful 

uniherin^ 
tion.  and 
to  their 
in  cotton 
hose  left 
loth  Chief 
lollies  for 
11  form  to 

)us  hands, 
lit  of  terri- 
|d  Oregon. 

In  elnne. 

•oncluded 
If  which  a 

Wallowa 

protested 
sii^ned  it 

Ian  Indian 


MAJOR-GENERAL    GEORGE    CROOK. 


MAJOR-GENERAL   ALFRED    H.    TERRY. -mi-  I'm.i    i'"'. 


(413) 


I  ! 


I   M 


I    .1! 


f! 


'91 


t' 


>^i\ 


'I 


■  \'\' 


Hi 


!■! 


; 


i   ;  c  M 


(JKNKIJAI,   NKI-SON   A.   MII.KS. 


415 


troaty  i>i  roiiconu'tl.  its  forms  woro  not  kopt  on  \\\o  part  of  tlio  Tiiitod 
States.  In  1S();{.  another  ti'eaty  was  n»»!^otiat('(|  wliirli  ^neatly  iTdnced  tln> 
reservation  estaltlisjieil  l»y  tiie  treaty  of  IS.'m,  and  anioii;^'  the  lands  yielded 
in  this  case  tiie  Wallowa  Valley  was  inelnded.  A  niiniher  of  the  chiefs 
refns(Ml  to  si^'ii  thistreaty,  and  wonld  never  afterward  reco^'ni/e  it  as 
Winding,  bnt  always  repudiated  it,  refnsin^'  to  accept  any  of  its  hcnetits. 

These  hitter  feelings  tinally  cnlniinated  in  tln»  Nez  Perce  war.  by 
whichatrihe  of  Indians  that  had  always  made  the  prond  hoast  that  no 
white  nnm  was  ever  slain  hy  the  hand  of  a  Xe/  I'erce,  were  driven  to 
open  hostilities,  resulting'  in  a  serions  war  l)«>tween  the  Xe/  I'erces  and  the 
troops  of  (leneral  Howard  in  Idaho,  a  s(>ries  of  enpii;ements  between  the 
Nez  Ferc«''s  and  troops  nnder  (Jeneral  (libbon  in  west(»rn  Montana,  and  tiie 
IMirsuit  and  capture  of  the  Nez  I'erces  by  troops  under  my  command  as 
related  in  a  precedinj^r  chapter  of  this  volume,  and  their  liiuii  return,  eij;ht 
years  later,  reduced  in  numbers  and  in  a  wretched  condition,  to  their 
country  where  they  have  since  peacefully  renuiined. 


.,*f'';> 


I'll 


M   f 


1^' 


if: 


•  I 


i'  '3 


P 


m:,m 


I    ! 


|i!i 


pirii: 


4,.,: 

:^Hi: 

'  I 

t! 


111 


il:'li 


416 


PEUSONAL  liEC0LLECT10^'S  OF 


OH\PTER  XXXIIT. 
OuH  Alaskan  I'osskssions. 

DisrovKHY  OK  Alaska   iiy   Rkiiking  —  Tiir  Vin    IIintioks  —  Tin;   Kisman  Cumpaxiks   and  Tiikik 

Si  rcKssoK  —  Sai.k  hk  tiik  (Iointky  to   tiik  II  Nrn:i)  Statics  —  'riiio  Thanskiok --\  ast  Si/k 

or     Alaska — Cmmatk  —  Mointains — Moint     St.      Ki.ias  —  (!i,a<i!:us —  Mriu 

Cr'.A\'ii:i(  —  l"].\ri:i)i'i'ioN    of   Li'mtkna.nt  Scimvai-ka  —  CiiAKAcri-.n  ok  tiik 

NaTIVKS  —  TlllOIK      lioAI'S — I'^XI'KDITION       OK       1,1  Kl  'I'KN  A  NT     AllKK- 

cKoMitiK  —  Tiik    ('oi>im:u     1\ivi:i{    ('ointky  —  Skai.s    and 

TiiKiK  I\ooki;kii:s  —  Salmon,    and  tin:   ('anmnci 

Indisi'ky  —  liiuTisii    SruioNdTii     in    tiik 

N  o  HI"  1 1  \v  i:sT  T  !■:  li  it  i  ro  u  y  . 

^  '^CVA\lilN(VS  iamous  voyage  and  the  discovery  of  Alaska  is  the 
liistoi-y  of  a  scries  of  privatioir;  and  disasfei's.  lie  set  sail 
fro: a  ()khotsk  in  1740.  in  a  vessel  called  the  "St  Panl."  He 
siirhted  and  named  the  niajj^nilicent  monntain  St.  Klias. 
lii  hrin<,'  was  hnally  wrecked  on  an  island  which  now  bears 
his  name,  and  died  there  DecfMnlxM'  S,  1741,  without  ever  at- 
"  ' ■'  "^  .aining  any  henelit  from  his  valuahhMliscoveries.  'J'lie  vessel 
was  little  more  than  a  wr(M*k.  hut  out  of  its  ruins  the  crew 
managed  to  build  a  little  shallop  in  whic]i  they  sei  sail  on  the  l(>th  of 
August.  174'J.  'rh<\v  linally  reached  ci\ilization  bearing  with  them  a  large 
number  of  valuable  peltries,  which  stimidated  the  prompt  fitting  out  of 
many  new  exi)editions  foi*  Alaska. 

These  fur  hunters  ventured  out  from  their  head<iuarters  at  Kamchatka 
and  by  17(>'.)  a  large  area  (►f  Russian  America  was  well  known  to  them. 
Prior  to  the  establishment  of  the  couti-ol  of  the  liussian  A nmrican  Com- 
pany over  the  whole  of  Alaska,  uhmv  than  si.xty  distinct  Russian  trade 
compani(>s  had  been  organized  and  had  plied  their  vocation  in  these  waters. 
In  17*.lt)  this  last  named  conii»any  received  a  <'harter  which  conferred  ui)on 
it  very  great  |»rivileges,  but  also  burdened  it  with  niauy  obligations,  it 
was  </l)liged  to  nutiutain  at  its  own  expense  the  new  government  of  the 
country,  a  church  establishment,  a,  military  force,  and  at  many  points  in 
the  couiitry  niaga/,in(\s  of  provisions  and  stores  to  be  used  by  the  lmi»erial 
government  for  its  naval  vessels. 


li  I 


ge\p:kal  nklson  a.  miles. 


417 


As  iinie  wore  on  it  was  found  that  Russian  Anipricsi  did  not  prove  as 
profitable  to  the  home  {j^overnnuMit  as  it  ou<;ht,  and  in  1S44  the  Kniperor 
Niehohis  ottered  to  sell  the  whoU>  country  to  the  United  States  for  the 
mere  cost  of  transfer  if  President  I'ierce  would  maintain  the  Tnited  States 
line  atW  40'  and  shut  Mnj^dand  (Uit  from  any  fronta^'e  on  the  I'acilie.  In 
1S54  it  was  aj^ain  ottered  to  the  I'nited  States,  and  yet  afj;ain  in  \S')\),  hut 
with  no  result.  Hut  in  ISO?  Secretary  Seward  ett'ected  the  purchase 
of  the  whole  vast  territory  at  the  late  of  altout  half  a  cent  an  acre. 
Fij^ures  show  that  from  the  veiy  he^innin^'  Alaska  has  heen  to  us  a 
payiu}.^  investment.  The  lirst  lease  of  the  two  seal  islands  returniMl  into 
the  treasury  a  sum  ecjual  to  the  pun  Vase  money  ($7,'J(MMM)0).  The  <jf«>ld 
mines  have  since  added  an  ecpial  sum  to  the  wealth  of  the  woild.  while 
the  salmon  lisheries  in  the  six  years  from  ISS4  to  1S1H>  yielded  $7,r)(l(MM)0. 

As  soon  as  the  treaty  was  ratified,  imnuMliate  military  poss(\ssion  was 
decided  upon.  The  commissioners  on  behalf  of  both  the  I'nited  States 
and  Hussia,  met  at  Sitka  in  October,  lS('»i).  Th;'<'(»  men-of-war  aiul  two 
hundred  and  fifty  troops  wei'e  present  on  th(»  afternoon  wh.en  ihe  Russians 
joined  the  Tnited  States  officers  at  the  foot  of  the  ^'overnment  fhi^staff. 
Doubh^  national  salutes  wer(>  fired  by  the  men-of-war  and  a  land  battery 
as  the  Iv'ussian  national  fla^  was  lowered  and  the  American  fla^nvas  raised. 
As  soon  as  the  lIiiitcMl  States  took  possession  of  Alaska  all  the  Russian  in- 
habitants who  were  able  to  travel  left  the  country,  their  jjjoverinnent 
jjfivin^  them  free  transportation. 

in  1S77  the  last  ^ai'iison  in  vMaska  was  vacat(Ml.and  a  few  monlhs  later 
the  Indians  had  destroyed  all  ^'owrnmeuf  pi'operiy  outside  the  stockades, 
and  threatened  a  nuissacre.  Heai'in^^  of  the  (lesp(>rat(^  pli^dit  of  fhe 
Americans  the  captiin  of  an  Kn^^lishship  which  hai)pemMl  to  be  at  I'lstpii- 
mault  at  the  time,  hastencMl  to  tluMr  assistance,  and  renuiin(>d  until  a 
United  States  revenue  cutter  and  a.  num-of-war  arriv«Ml. 


Alaska,  is  nine  linu's  fh(»  siz(»  of  New  Mn<!:lan(l,  twice  the  si/(»  o 


.f  Tex; 


IS, 


ai 


id  three  times  as  lar<;e  as  California.  It  sti-etches  lor  lUiU-e  than  a  thou- 
sand miles  fi'om  north  to  south,  ami  the  Aleutian  Islands  encr(>a('h  u|>on 
the  eastern  hemisph(M'(\  placin^^  the  ^'eoirraphical  c<Miter  of  the  I'nited 
States  on  tlu^  point  midway  between  the  ea.-teru  and  western  exti'iMuities 
a  little  to  the  W(^st  of  San  Francisco.  The  is  and  of  ;\ttu  is  two  thousivnd 
mih's  west  t)f  Sitka,  and  it  is  as  fai-  from  Cap.'  Fox  to  Point  liarrowas  from 
the  m)rth  of  Maine  to  the  southei'u  extremity  of  Fhu'ida.  The  coast  line 
has  a  length  of  mon'  than  iS.iKIO  miles;  ^n-eater  than  that  of  all  th<>  States 
l)orderinij:  on  the  Atlantic,  the  I'acilie  and  fhe  Culf  of  Mexico  combined. 


■'bi.: 


U 


■  I  ■  I 


rf 


M 


I 


n 


418 


PEKSOXAL  KECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


The  climate  and  phy.sical  t'eatnres  of  southeastern  Alaska  very  much 
resemble  those  of  southern  Norway.  While  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  is 
surrounded  hy  icebergs  in  suiumer  and  its  harbor  is  frozen  solid  in  winter, 
Sitka  ten  degrees  farther  north,  has  always  an  open  roadstead.  The 
thermometer  rarely  registers  in  winter  as  low  as  ten  degrees  below  zero. 
It  is  the  isothermal  ecpial  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and  Kentucky,  skat- 
ing being  a  rare  sport  for  Sitkans.  When  William  II.  Seward  was  making 
his  trip  around  the  world  he  wrote  from  lierlin:  *"  We  have  seen  enough  of 
CJermany  to  know  that  its  climatf^  is  neither  so  genial,  nor  its  soil  so  fertile, 
nor  its  resources  in  forests  and  mines  so  rich  as  those  of  southern  Alaska." 
The  lofty  mountain  ranges  and  the  Japan  I'urrent  give  southeastern  Alaska 
a  greater  rainfall  than  that  of  Norway,  the  annual  rainfall  i.i  Sitka  aver- 
aging eighty-one  inches.  There  have  been  wet  seascms  there  in  which 
there  were  respectively  two  hundred  and  eighty-Hve  and  threo  hundred 
and  forty  rainy  days  ;  but  all  this  moisture  favors  a  luxuriant  vegetation 
and  keeps  the  foliage  fresli  during  the  greater  part  o^'  the  year. 

Thunder  storms  are  almost  unknown,  and  there  are  beautiful  auroral 
illuminations  during  the  long  winter  nights.  There  have  been  only  two 
great  hurricanes  since  the  transfer  of  the  country,  one  occurring  immedi- 
ately after  that  event  anil  the  (jther  in  ISSO.  Fine  grass  springs  naturally 
on  any  clearing  ;  coaiser  grasses  grow  three  or  four  feet  high,  and  clover 
thrives  unheeded.  Hay  has  been  cured  there  since  as  early  as  1S05,  and 
some  varieties  of  vegetables  have  been  raised.  In  summer  there  is  usucally 
about  a  fortnight  of  reallv  very  warm  weather,  and  the  days  at  that  time 
of  year  are  eighteen  hours  long. 

The  greater  part  of  Alaska  is  exceedingly  mountainous.  The  most 
celebrated  of  all  her  lofty  summits  is  Mount  St.  Elias,  the  central  peak  of 
a  crescent-shaped  range  of  mountains  on  the  southern  coast  of  Alaska. 
This  mountain  lifts  its  glittering  white  head  more  than  19.(100  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.  The  whole  of  this  great  peak  is  not  often 
seen  at  one  time,  as  a  perfectly  clear  atmosphere  is  very  rare  in  that  region. 
The  vai)or  from  the  warm  ocean  current  is  condensed  into  clouds  as  it 
strikes  the  frozen  sides  of  the  mountain,  keeping  it  perpetually  cloud- 
capped.  Its  summit  is  a  bold  pyramid  placed  on  a  rugged  mountain  mass, 
and  surrounded  by  foot-hills  each  one  of  which  is  of  sufficient  size  to  be 
widely  noted  were  it  in  any  country  wdiere  colossal  peaks  are  not  so  com- 
mon. The  mountain  can  be  distinctly  seen  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  at 
sea.  and  at  that  distance  it  appears  to  tower  up  with  all  the  grandeur  and 
beautv  that  ordinarv  mountains  have  when  viewed  from  a  short  distance. 


Gh'NKKAh  NKLSON  A.   MILKS. 


419 


y  much 
land,  is 
winter, 
l1.     The 
)W  zero. 
:y,  skat- 
making 
loii^h  of 
)  fertile, 
i^laska." 
11  Alaska 
ka  aver- 
n  which 
hundred 
(getation 

i  auroral 
only  two 

inimedi- 
iiiiturally 

id  clover 
1S05,  and 

s  usually 

hat  time 

Hie  most 
.1  peak  oi 
If  Alaska. 
.(100   feet 
not  often 
fit  region, 
luds  as  it 
[ly  cloud- 
lain  mass, 
Isize  to  be 
It  so  com- 
miles  at 
ideur  and 
distance. 


Some  of  the  most  magnificent  glaciers  to  l)e  found  on  the  glol)e  till  the 
gorges  of  the  Alaskan  mountain  ranges.  The  Malasi>iiie  tJlacier  is  one  of 
the  largest  known.  It  is  one  vast,  slowly-nioviiig  i)rairie  of  ice,  and  from 
the  mountain  spurs  projecting  into  it  one  may  look  down  upon  it  frou)  a 
height  of  two  or  three  thousand  feet  witluuit  being  aKle  to  discover  its 
southern  limits.  The  outer  holder  is  covered  with  earth  and  supports  a 
dense  growth  of  vegetation,  and  in  some  idiices  thick  forests  of  s[)ruce 
trees.  These  evergreen  forests,  willi  undei'growths  of  fei'us  and  flowers, 
growing  on  living  glaciers  hundreds  of  feet  thick,  are  among  the  most 
interesting  features  of  Alaska.  'I'he  entire  region  is  renuirkal)h^  for  the 
glaciers  which  aoound  in  the  valleys  and  along  the  coasts.  The  Muir 
Glacier  at  (ilacier  Bay  is  one  of  the  l)est  known,  its  face  heing  a  solid  wall 
of  ice,  two  miles  wide.  Another  glacier  situated  on  the  Stickine  Hiver  is 
forty  miles  long  and  five  miles  wide.  The  Miles  (ThK-ier,  so  named  by 
Lieutenant  Abercroml)ie,  who  discovered  it  during  his  exploration  of  the 
Copper  Kiver  country,  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  intei-esting  of  these 
wonders  of  nature. 

Some  idea  may  be  formed  of  these  colossal  glaciers  by  inuigining  a 
valley  between  two  ranges  of  mountains  packed  solidly  with  ice.  formed 
from  the  packed  and  semi-liquid  snow^  of  mountains  from  forty  to  tifty 
miles  back  from  the  rivers  or  bays  into  which  the  glaciers  empty,  A  Ithough 
actually  in  constant  motion,  the  movement  is  so  slew  that  it  is  im[)er- 
ceptible  except  from  final  results.  The  continual  fall  at  the  end  of  the 
glacier  of  masses  of  ice  from  the  size  of  a  man's  hand  to  that  of  a  block 
acres  in  extent,  produces  a  noise  like  the  constant  roar  of  thunder,  and  is 
frequently  heard  eight  or  ten  miles  away.  The  glaciers  that  empty  into 
bays  and  navigal)le  rivers  produce  icebergs  that  are  usually  four  or  five 
times  as  deep  below  the  surface  of  the  water  as  they  are  above.  These 
masses  of  ice  are  forced  iiack  against  the  faces  of  the  glaciers  when  the 
tide  is  coming  m,  and  are  held  there  firmly  until  it  goes  out,  when  they 
again  go  rolling  on  their  course  to  the  sea.  As  the  huge  masses  fall  from  the 
face  of  the  glacier  they  produce  a  motion  of  the  water  which  is  sometimes 
dangerous  to  vessels  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  and  when  the  ice  Hoe  is 
moving  out  with  the  tide  it  sometimes  becomes  necessary  for  steamers 
to  seek  shelter  behind  some  promontory. 

The  beauty  and  grandeur  of  these  scenes  is  equal  to  anything  that  I 
ever  witnessed.  There  is  only  one  feature  of  nature  that  compares  with 
>  iii  grandeur,  although  of  an  entirely  different  character,  and  that  is  the 
geysers  in  the  Yellowstone  Valley.    During  our  visit  to  Alaska  it  required 


^t.i 


u 


ihI 


it: 


in 


I  :  i:. 


■  i 


(I 


;  hi!  ■ :  ; 


420 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


twenty-four  days  going  and  returning,  the  distance  being  a  thousand 
miles  each  way.  Now  the  journey  can  be  made  in  fourteen  days,  and  even 
this  time  will  l>e  lessened  as  better  facilities  for  travel  are  afforded. 

In  the  year  18S3  there  were  frequent  reports  of  disturbances  of  the 
peace  between  the  whiteiS  and  Indians  in  Alaska  which  seemed  to  indicato 
that  there  might  be  serious  hostilities  between  the  two  elements  in  the 
near  future.  Althougii  the  Territory  was  included  within  the  geographical 
limits  of  the  Department  of  Columl>ia,  its  area  of  nearly  six  hundred  thou- 
sand square  miles  was  practically  an  unexplored  and  unknown  country, 


but  little  acquaintance  having  been 
features,  the  number  i.nd  character 
or  climate.     Detrriing  lurther  infor- 
exceedingly     desiraole.     in 
aides-de-camp.     Lieutenant 
United     States   Cavalry,    a 
gether  with   Assistn^nt-Sur- 
icai   Assistant  Homan    and 
obtain    intelligence   of  the 
us  in  the  case  of  any  serious 

Frederick 
born  at  Galena, 
tember,  184i). 
pointed  to  the 
emy  from  Cre- 
ated at  West 
after  which  he 
ing  admitted  to 
He  then  took 
medicine,  re- 


made with  its  topographical 
of  its  inhabitants,  its  resources 
mation  in  these  respects  to  be 
April,  1883,  I  sent  one  of  my 
Frederick  Schwatka,  Third 
distinguished  explorer,  to- 
geon  Wilson  and  Topograph- 
three  soldiers,  to  Alaska  to 
country  iliat  might  be  of  use  to 
disturbance. 
Schwatka  was 
Illinois,  in  Sep- 
He  was  a  p  - 
Military  Acad- 
gon  and  gradu- 
Point  in  1871, 
studied  law,  be- 
the  bar  in  1875. 
up  the  study  of 
ceiving  his  de- 
gree in  New  York  in  1876.  He  was  in  command  of  the  Franklin  expedition 
which  sailed  tor  the  Arctic  regions  in  1878,  and  which  succeeded  in  tinding 
many  relics  and  evidences  of  the  fate  of  Sir  John  Franklin's  pa7'ty,  during 
its  two  years'  absence.  He  afterward  led  various  other  exploring  expedi- 
tions and  has  written  many  interesting  books  and  articles  concerning 
his  travels.  His  death,  which  occurred  a  few  years  ago,  was  a  severe  loss  to 
the  scientific  world. 

Lieutenant  Schwatka  and  his  party  left  Portland,  Oregon,  on  May  22, 
1883,  arriving  at  Pyramid  Harbor  in  Chilcat  Inlet  early  in  June.  The 
instructions  of  Lieutenant  Schwatka  were  to  '*  endeavor  to  complete  all 


■■■^ 


.1  <  „^v_H«v(n„4!)**. 


Alaskan  Tut km. 


m 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


421 


information  in  each  section  of  country  before  proceeding  to  another,  in 
order  that  if  time  .shonhi  not  permit  tlie  full  completion  of  the  work,  it 
may  be  taken  up  the  following  season,"  and  he  accordingly  selected  the 
valley  of  the  Yukon  Kiver  as  the  district  most  imi)ortant  in  the  Territory. 
'J'his  great  river  rises  in  British  Columbia  at  a  point  about  two  hundred 
miles  northeast  of  Sitka,  and  forming  the  arc  of  a  huge  circle  over  two 
thousand  miles  in  length,  enters  Behring  Sea  through  an  extensive  delta. 
The  volume  of  water  which  it  pours  into  the  sea  is  so  great  as  to  freshen 
the  ocean  ten  miles  from  its  mouth. 

The  difficulties  that  had  been  experienced  by  others  in  exploring  the 
Yukon  from  its  mouth,  led  Lieutenant  Schwatka  to  believe  that  it  might 
be  easier  to  descend  than  to  ascend,  and  he  made  his  preparations  with 
this  end  in  view.  He  finally  decided  to  make  the  attempt  to  reach  its 
headwaters  by  way  of  the  Chilcoot  trail  which  leads  up  the  inlet  of  the 
same  name,  to  a  branch  called  the  Dayay.  then  through  this  to  the  mou^h 
of  the  Dayay  River,  thence  to  its  head,  and  thence  across  the  mountains 
to  Lake  Lindeman.  Here  they  stopped  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  raft 
on  which  to  descend  the  river.  After  the  comi)ieti()n  of  this,  they  pa.ssed 
through  several  other  lakes  and  their  connecting  streams,  reaching  Lake 
Marsh  on  the  29th  of  June.  This  is  a,  body  of  water  nearly  thirty  miles  long, 
but  tilled  with  mud  lianks  from  one  C\»nd  to  the  other,  making  it  extremely 
ditlicult  to  navigate  even  on  a  raft.  /  From  Lake  Marsh  they  entered  the 
Yukon  River  and  on  July  1,  found  themselves  approaching  the  grand  canon 
of  the  Yukon,  This  is  the  only  large  canon  in  the  entire  length  of  the  great 
river,  and  was  named  l)y  Schwatka  after  the  dei>artnient  (onimander.  The 
river,  which  before  reaching  this  \Hnnt  is  about  three  hundred  antl  tifty  yards 
in  width  here  begins  to  grow  narrower,  until  it  is  hai-dly  more  than  thirty- 
five  yards  wide.  The  walls  of  the  canon  are  of  perpendicular  basalt  nearly 
a  mile  in  height,  being  widened  in  the  center  into  a  huge  basin  about 
double  the  usual  width  of  the  stream  in  the  canon,  and  this  basin  is  full 
of  whirlpools  and  eddies  in  which  nothing  but  a  tish  could  live.  Through 
this  canon  the  wild  waters  rush  in  a  perfect  nuiss  of  foam,  with  a  rever- 
beration that  can  be  heard  a  considerable  distance  away.  Overhanging  the 
canon  are  huge  spruce  trees  standing  in  gloomy  rows  At  the  northern 
end  the  water  spreads  rapidly  to  its  former  width  although  not  losing 
any  of  its  swiftness,  and  falls  in  a  wide,  shallow  sheet  over  reefs  of  l)oulders 
and  drifts  of  huge  timber.  About  four  miles  further  down,  the  river  grows 
narrower  than  ever,  and  the  volume  of  water  is  so  great  that  it  ascends 
the  sloping  banks  to  a  consideral)le  height  and  then  falls  back  into  the 


n 


ril 


it  I 


I     •MS, 


,  t' 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 

narrow  bed  below.     The  shooting  of  the  canon  and  rai)ids  was  an  exciting 
adventure,  and  I  will  give  Lieutenant  Scliwatka'sexi)erience  in  his  own  words. 

'•  Everything  l)eing  in  readiness,  our  inspection  made  and  our  resolution 
formed,  in  the  forenoon  of  the  '2d  of  July,  we  prepared  to  shoot  the 
raft  through  the  rapids  of  the  grand  canon,  and  at  llrJ.j  the  bow  and  stern 
lines  were  cast  loose,  and  after  a  few  minutes'  hard  work  at  shoving  the 
craft  out  of  the  little  eddy  where  she  lay,  the  poor  vessel  resisting.;  as  if  she 
kneu'  all  that  was  ahead  of  her  and  was  loath  to  go.  she  finally  swung  clear 
of  the  i)oint,  and  like  a  racer  at  the  start,  made  almost  a  leai)  forward,  and 
th  3  die  was  cast.  A  moment's  hesitation  at  the  canon's  brink,  and  quick 
as  a  tiash  the  whirling  craft  plunged  into  the  foam,  and  before  twenty 
yards  were  made  had  collided  with  the  western  wall  of  the  columnar  rock 
with  a  shock  as  loud  as  a  blast,  tearing  off  the  inner  side  log  and  throwing 
the  outer  one  far  into  the  stream.  The  raft  swung  around  this  as  upon  a 
hinge,  just  as  if  it  had  been  a  straw  in  a  gale  of  wind,  and  again  resumed 
its  rapid  career.  In  the  wliirlpool  l)asin  of  the  canon,  the  craft,  for  a  brief 
second  or  two,  seemed  actually  buried  out  of  sight  in  the  foam.  Had  there 
been  a  dozen  giants  on  board  they  could  have  had  no  more  influence  in 
directing  her  course  than  as  many  spiders.  It  was  a  very  simple  matter 
to  trust  the  rude  vessel  entirely  to  fate,  to  work  out  its  own  salvation.  I 
was  most  afraid  of  the  four  miles  of  .^hallow  rapids  below  the  canon,  but 
she  only  received  a  dozen  or  a  score  of  smart  bumps  that  started  a  log 
here  and  there,  but  tore  none  from  the  structure,  and  nothing  remained 
ahead  of  her  but  the  cascades.  These  reached,  in  a  few  minutes  the  craft 
was  caught  at  the  l)ow  liy  the  first  high  wave  in  the  funnel-like  chute  and 
lifted  into  the  air  until  it  stood  almost  at  an  angle  of  thirty  degrees,  when  it 
went  through  the  cascades  like  a  charge  of  fixed  bayonets,  and  almost  as 
swiftly  as  a  flash  of  light,  ])urying  its  nose  in  the  foam  beyond  as  it 
sul)sided.  Those  on  board  the  raft  now  got  hold  of  a  line  from  their 
friends  on  shore,  and  after  l)reaking  it  several  times  they  finally  brought 
the  craft  alongside  the  l)ank  and  commenced  repairing  the  damage  with 
liq^ht  hearts,  for  our  greatest  obstacle  was  now  at  our  backs." 

At  vaiious  intervals  below  the  canon  a  numlier  of  large  rivers  flow^  into 
the  Yukon,  greatly  increasing  its  width.  On  the  I'Jth  of  July  they  shot 
the  Kink  Kapids,  the  last  rapids  of  importance  on  the  river,  and  the 
next  day  reached  the  site  of  old  Fort  Selkirk,  a  trading  post  of  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company  which  was  burned  in  ISol  by  a  party  of  Indians  l)ecause  it 
interfered  with  their  trade  with  other  tribes.  This  was  an  important  point 
on  the  Yukon,  as  above  it  the  river  had  never  before  l)een  explored. 


^ 


GENEHAL  XEKSOX  A.  MILES. 


428 


Lciting 
words. 
)luti()ii 
»()t  the 
cl  stern 
n<i;  the 
s  it'  she 
i«;  cleur 
Li-d,  aiul 
1  quick 
twenty 
lar  rock 
irowing 
upon  a 
[•esumed 
r  a  brief 
ad  there 
uence  in 
;  matter 
ition.     I 
non,  but 
ed  a  log 
emained 

le  craft 
lute  and 

when  it 

most  as 
nid  as  it 
3m  their 

brought 
age  with 

flow  into 
they  shot 
and  the 
e  Hudson 
)ecause  it 
ant  point 
ed. 


From  Fort  Selkirk  they  went  on  down  tlie  river,  passing  a  number  of 
Indian  villages  and  old  Fort  Yukon,  which  had  l»een  abandoned  several 
years  before,  and  on  August  10.  drifted  by  the  spot  known  as  '"the  rapids 
of  the  Yukon'"  which  they  had  l)een  dreading  for  some  time,  and  which 
they  feared  might  prove  disastrous  to  tlieir  rough  means  of  naviga- 
tion. It  was  not  until  they  had  passed  them  that  they  observed  the 
rapids  at  all.  as  they  consisted  of  nothing  l)ut  a  bar  of  white  boulders 
around  which  the  water  flowed  as  placidly  as  around  any  l»ai  in  the  river. 
Some  distance  below  these  rai»ids  they  met  a  small  steamer,  (uie  of  the 
three  that  then  comprised  the  entire  steam  fleet  on  the  river.  Not  long 
afterward  they  were  overtaken  by  anothei-  steamer,  the  '"  i'ukon."  which 
took  them  in  tow  as  far  as  St.  Michaels,  where  they  arrived  on  the  8(lth  of 
August.  During  this  reconnoissance  much  valuable  iufonnation  was 
obtained  regarding  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  the  whole  number 
belonging  to  the  various  tri))es  ol)served  by  the  exjjedition  aggrt>gating 
over  eleven  thousand. 

Lieutenant  Schwatka's  exploration  was  one  of  exceeding  interest  and 
value,  adding  a  very  important  chapter  of  information  about  that  remote 
country.  The  territory  he 
passed  over,  however,  had  not 
been  entirely  untraversed  by 
prospectors  and  miners,  as  a 
few  of  those  adventurous  spir- 
its had  previously  i)enetrated 
that  country  in  search  of  gold 
and  other  minerals.  Schwatka 
describes  the  country  as  of  lit- 
tle value  except  for  its  fisheries 
and  minerals.  The  suiumers 
along  the  Yukon  Valley  are  of 
very  short  duration,  and  the 
country  is  so  infested  with 
mosquitoes  as  to  make  life 
there  almost  intolerable  during 
that  season,  while  the  severity  of  its  winters  —  the  thermometer  often 
registering  sixty  degrees  below  zero  —  makes  it  an  equally  undesiral)le 
country  for  occupation  at  that  time  of  year. 

Schwatka  exi)resses  the  opinion  that  all  other  desirable  parts  of  the 
United  States  will  be  occupied  before  that  country  is  settled.    Nevertheless, 


(iumi'  (IF  Eskimo  (In: 


¥i 


I  ,'■' ' 


424 


TEUSONAL  HECOLLKCTIONS  OF 


(    ;  t 


n 


:*      i 


•  i: 


M, 


he  describes  the  natives  as  a  hardy,  brave  people,  and  most  expert  boat- 
builders.  Their  way  of  niakin;^  these  boats  is  very  rude  ;  burning  and 
bt'ving  out  great  trees,  which  are  then  fashioned  into  well-drawn  lines, 
making  excellent  boats  capable  of  carrying  thirty  or  forty  people  and  pro- 
pelled by  i>addles  or  sails.  VVitli  these  rude  crafts  they  -lo  not  hesitate  to 
go  out  into  the  oi)en  sea  of  the  I'acilic,  or  to  take  journeys  of  three  hundred 
miles  along  the  coast  outside  the  inland  i)assage. 

In  their  snuill  canoes  built  of  skins,  in  which  one  or  two  oarsmen  are 
lasiied.  covered  with  water-tight,  thin  skin  garments,  they  go  out  into  the 
open   sea  to  attack  the  sea  otter,  which  is  the  most  valuable  fur-bearing 

.    .      •■-..-  i^vc  ~       animal  in  that  country. 

The  prows  of  these 
boats  are  built  of  such 
light  material  that  it  is 
impossible  to  keep  them 
under  water,  and  the 
water-proof  garments 
ot  the  oarsmen  are  fast- 
ened in  such  a  way  that 
not  a  drop  can  penetrate 
the  interior  of  the  boat, 
even  though  it  should 
be  entirely  submerged 
01-  turnec^  over  by  the  surf.  This  being  the  case,  when  the  canoe  is 
capsized,  as  occasionally  happens  in  passing  through  the  surf,  the 
light  prow  immediately  rights  itself  and  brings,  with  the  aid  of  the  skillful 
oarsman,  both  canoe  and  passengers  right  side  up  again,  and  without 
damage  to  either. 

Schwatka  found  these  native  races  among  the  hardiest  and  strongest  on 
the  continent.  All  his  baggage  had  to  be  carried  over  the  mountains  on 
the  backs  of  men  hired  for  that  purpose,  and  he  reports  that  they  could  take 
a  box  of  ammunition  or  supplies  weighing  a  hundred  pounds  and  g««  up  the 
side  of  a  mountain  as  rapidly  as  an  ordinary  man  could  go  without  any 
burden.  One  of  their  races  that  I  witnessed,  near  Juno,  in  which  five  of 
their  largest  boats,  with  twelve  to  fifteen  men  in  each,  took  part,  was  as 
good  a  display  of  muscular  strength  and  activity  as  I  have  ever  seen. 

Desiring  to  gain  more  infornnition  regarding  a  country  which  up  to  that 
time  had  been  wholly  unknown.  1  organized  a  similar  expedition,  in  charge 
of  Lieutenant  W.  F.  Abercrombie,  in  the  summer  of  IS^-'l-,  to  explore  the 


N.\  I  ivE  Kay.^ks. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.   MILES. 


425 


Copper  li'iWY  region,  and.  if  possible,  the  Aleutian  ran^'e  of  mountains  and 
the  valley  of  the  'I'anana.  A  party  of  Hussians,  under  Serihriekol)  from  the 
Russian  War  Department  had.  in  1S4S  compelh'd  the  natives  to  dra|,' their 
sledges  up  this  river.  At  a  preconcerted  si<;nal  the  rehellions  Indians 
suddenly  attacked  and  massacred  the  entire  party.  From  that  time  no 
successful  expedition  had  been  made  up  the  Coppei'  h'iver.  and  the  natives 
had  been  very  much  opposed  tocivili/<'d  men  enterin;^'  their  country,  lint 
Lieutenant  Abercrombie  found  them  inolTensive.  and  employed  them  to 
draj;  his  boats  up  the  river.  The  cuirents,  however,  were  so  strong,  and 
he  experienced  so  much  ditficulty  in  makin<i:  the  asc<Mit.  beside  the  draw- 
back of  a  number  of  his  i)arty  bein^  sick,  that  he  found  it  impossible  to  ^o 
as  far  as  he  intended,  lie  did,  however.  accom|tlish  a  very  j^ood  recon- 
noissance  and  exploration,  and  made  som  »  important  discoveries  as  to  the 
character  of  the  country,  obtaininjj:  mucli  information  of  interest  and  value. 

Returning  to  the  mouth  of  the  river  in  December,  he  was  reli(ned  b\ 
Lieutenant  Allen,  whom  1  had  ordered  to  that  duty.  Lieutenant  /  11<mi  left 
Portland,  Ore^'on,  January  2S).  accompanied  by  Ser^^eant  Nobinson  and 
Private  Pickett,  of  the  s'.gi?al  corjis.  'IMie  Secretary  of  tlie  Navy,  Mr. 
Chandler,  at  my  re(piest,  had  very  kindly  sent  th<Mn  on  one  of  the  United 
States  gunboats  frorri  Sitka  to  the  mouth  of  Copi)er  liiver. 

After  a  lung  but  unavoidable  delay  at  Sitka,  the  party  was  conveyed 
by  the  "Pinta"  to  Nuchek.  Although  the  "'l'inta"was  (mly  a  fourth 
rate  ma.i-of-war  with  a  very  small  armament,  sli(»  made  a  great  impres- 
sion upon  the  natives.  One  of  them,  in  describing  her  proportions, 
estimated  her  length  as  equal  to  the  distance  between  two  designated 
islands,  which  were  really  about  half  a  mile  ai»art.  On  the  morning  of 
the  20th  of  March  the  party  left  Nuchek  for  the  mouth  of  the  Copper 
River,  but  experienced  great  difficulty  in  reaching  that  point  on  account 
of  grounding  so  often  in  the  mud  in  their  canoes,  and  being  continually 
exposed  to  a  driving  storm  of  sleet  and  rain. 

Lieutenant  Allen  here  took  up  his  exploration  late  in  the  winter,  start- 
ing in  January,  1SS5,  thus  having  the  advantage  of  passing  up  on  the  ice, 
the  difficult  portion  of  the-  Copper  River,  where  Lieutenant  Abercrombie 
had  found  such  ditficulty  in  dragging  his  boats  against  the  rapid  current. 
He  employed  the  nati.es  to  drag  his  sledges  in  his  further  ascent  of  the 
river  and  his  passage  over  the  Alaskan  mountains. 

During  the  whole  expedition  they  experienced  great  difficulty  in  ob- 
taining natives  for  transportation  purposes.  At  Alaganik.  a  point  on  the 
Copper  River,  they  could   find  only  six  men   available   for  that  purpose. 


i 


i" 


ill 


I-:  .;■ 


:  [., 


»    ; 


4li0 


I'KKSONAL  K'KI'OI.I.KCTIONS  OF 


Tlieso  nion  w<»iiM  pi'dniise  faitlit'iilly  to  ^'o  at  one  Dionient  ami  at  the  next 
refuse  to  have  anytliin^^  to  do  with  the  e>;i:t».liiiwn  At  last,  in  order  to 
make  them  helievu  that  it  was  a  ^'reat  favor  to  them  to  he  allowed  to  ^'o 
iit  all,  Lieutenant  Allen  deci<led  to  take  tnly  live,  and  inadc  t i'.cin  draw 
lots  to  determine  who  slionid  lie  nnfortnnate  enon^h  to  remain  behind, 
'i'his  had  th(>  desired  elTect,  thongli  he  would  have  been  glad  to  hire  tea 
men  instead  of  live. 

The  aseent  of  the  I'iversoon  became  exti-emely  dillicnlt.  as  the  elia.nnel 
ill  a  short  time  ^n-ew  so  shallow  that  they  conld  not  use  their  canoes,  thus 
making' a  jioi'ta^ic  necessary.  Taj'al.  of  which  they  had  heard  much  on 
their  way  up  the  river,  they  found  to  consist  of  l)ut  two  houses,  one  of 
which  was  unoccupied,  ib'reall  the  natives  but  one  either  deserted  or  were 
sent  ba(d<.  and  here  the  e\|)lorers  left  the  Copper  Hiver  to  exiilore  one 
of  its  imjiortant  branches  called  the  Chittyna.  As  they  went  on.  their  fo(»d 
sui>ply  became  so  low  that  on  Lieutenant  Allen's  birthday  they  could  cele- 
brate in  no  bettei'  way  than  by  makinj.!'  a  bancpiet  of  some  moose  meat  that 
had  been  left  by  the  natives  and  their  doj.js  as  unlit  to  eat.  Afterward 
matters  ^avw  so  much  worse  that  they  would  have  been  glad  to  obtain 
even  that  delicacy. 

They  completed  their  ex[)loration  of  the  Chittyna.  and  on  May  4.  once 
ni(u-<>  reached  Taral.  They  then  continued  their  way  np  the  Copper  Kiver 
by  •  cordelling."  That  is.  two  men  remain  in  the  boat,  one  to  steer  and 
the  other  in  the  bow  with  a  long  i)ole:  the  renniinder  of  the  party  pnll  on 
the  rope  as  they  walk  along  the  shore.  From  Liebigstag's.  a  settlement  on 
the  river,  conld  be  seen  a  magnihcent  series  of  grand  jieaks.  the  highest, 
Mount  AVrangell.  rising  more  than  seventeen  thonsand  feet  above  the  sea 
level. 

On  the  .jth  of  lune  they  commenced  to  ascend  the  mountains  on  their 
way  to  the  Tanana.  whose  head  waters  lie  very  near  those  of  the  Copper, 
although  thetwo  rivers  aremarkedby  snch entirely dilTerent characteristics. 
After  a  wearisome  journey,  as  they  climed  to  the  top  of  a  high  divide  four 
thousand  five  hnncL-ed  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  they  suddenly  found 
themselves  in  lid  1  vi^w  of  their  promised  land.  In  front  of  them  lay  the 
Tanana  Valley  with  its  numerous  lakes  and  low.  unlu'oken  ranges  of  moun- 
tains: a  scene  which  no  white  man  had  ever  looked  upon  before.  As  they 
went  on.  vegetation  began  to  be  rank,  and  they  suffered  from  the  heat  instead 
of  from  the  cold.  The  Tanana  is  a  muddy  river  full  of  quicksands  and  boil- 
ings, but  with  no  rocks,  and  the  spruce  trees  grow  down  to  its  very  edge. 
It  was  decided  to  descend  the  river  in  a   boat  made  of  skins,  and  in  this 


\i 


(JKNKRAL  XKI-SON  A.  MILKS. 


427 


niannor  tiio  vnva^'o  was  niadr  in  spito  of  tiio  msniy  rapids  which  jzreatly 
i- creased  the  (hiii^'ors  of  t lie  descent.  After  sntTeriny  much  from  hun;^'er 
ami  vveakiK'ss.  tiie  party  reached  tiie  Viikoii.  into  which  tiie  Tanana 
emi)ties  fifteen  liunthcd  mih's  from  its  source.  They  then  expjoi'ed  the 
Koyukuk,  another  tributary  of  tiie  Yukon,  for  some  distance,  after  whicii 
they  niade  tiioir  way  down 
the  hitter  river  as  rapidly  as 
tiie  means  at  tlieir  dispo.sal 
wouhl  permit,  rea('liin<,'  St. 
Micliael's  on  Au^nist  lM>,  and 
tlius  concluding'  a  most  suc- 
cessful exploration,  thon^di 
made  at  the  cost  of  much  priva- 
tion   and    sulTeriii}'.     Most  of 


the 


p(>ople   they  nn 


't    on 


tl 


10 


npiM'r  Copper  andTanana  K*iv- 
ers  had  never  seen  white  men 
before,  and  nuudi  interesting.? 
inforination  was  obtained  con- 
cern! "i^,'  them. 

'J'l'e  principal  industries  of 
Al'iska  at  present  are  the  fur 
trade  Mining,  and  i\w  curing'  L'*- 
and  caK  lin^'  of  tish.  The  value 
of  the  Seal  Islands  was  not 
appreciated  at  the  time  of 
their  transfer  to  this  country. 
In  1S70,  the  Alaska  C'ommer 
cial  Company  of  San  Francisco  (!^ 
obtained  a  twenty  years'  lease 
of  the  islands  of  St.  Paul  and 
St.  (leorjjje,  and  are  believed  to 
have  divided  from  SWiM«)0  to  $1,000,000  profits  annually  between  twelve 
original  stockholders.  In  lSi)0  another  twenty  years'  lease  was  awarded  the 
North  American  (."(^mmercial  Company  of  San  Francisco  for  an  annual 
rental  of  $100,000. 

At  the  rookeries  the  seal  families  herd  in  little  groups  on  the  rocks, 
the  patriarch  staying  at  home  with  the  cu))s,  while  the  mother  seal  swims 
sometimes  as  far  as  two  hundred  miles  daily  in  search  of  their  food.  These 

M— 25 


Sl'.AI, 


ll^ 


M 


si 


1 


ilM 


H;  \ 


I 


I* 


I 


'm 


«i 


!>  J  >  i 


fi 


■H  M 


if 


f 


II 

1 

1  ' 

1  '''' 

il 

i   '. 

'i 

m        ^ 

1  i    ' 

9  R 

:            '• 

ffi  f 

'1     '        •    i 

1 

'1         ■     1    ' 

, 

!       J    i 

1 

'  ':       ,     t      ', 

i  1.  ' 

1, 

P;  1  ' 

1           ■  ' 

'     1 

■      '    ' 

It 


428 


TKIfSONAI,  ina.'OM.KCTlONS  OF 


ciihs  live  very  timid,  and  rush  iiit<»  the  watof  on  iicariii^  any  stnin^»^  noise. 
The  ton^diness  of  the  cnhs  is  somewhat  amusin;^'.  If  aiiytiiin^'  happens  to 
frigiit<Mi  them  a  palriai-cli  \V(Mj,diin^'  several  hnndred  pounds  will  oftea  Hop 
and  tumble  over  a  whole  mass  of  them  apparently  without  injurinj^  one. 
Only  the  male  seals  from  two  to  I'oe.r  years  of  a|;e  are  killeil.  'j'hes<«  " bach- 
elors" herd  al(>ne,  and  the  aleuts.  runnin;^'  hetween  them  and  the  water  in 
th(»  early  morninj,'.  drive  them  slowly  to  the  killing  grounds,  where  they 
dispatch  them  l>y  a  blow  on  the  head. 

Salmon  is  the  most  im[»ortant  Hsh.  hul  halibut  and  herring  are  onrod 
in  great  ([uantities.  At  Loring  a  tine  oi>portunity  is  i)resented  of  watching 
the  canning  of  salmon,  which  continues  from  .lune  to  Septemb(»r.  The 
outdoor  work  is  done  by  a  few  white  men.  wiHi  sometimes  a  few  Indians 
employed  under  them.  Although  naturally  in<lustrious  the  'IMingit  cannot 
be  dei)ended  on.  as  he  is  very  ai)t  to  leave  without  warning  to  attend  to 
some  bnsiness  of  his  own  right  in  the  height  of  the  salmon  season,  ihit 
neither  the  white  man  nor  the  Indian  can  compete  with  the  Chinese  in  the 
skillful  nnini[)ulation  of  the  machines.  As  h<»  works  by  the  juece,  the 
Chinaman  takes  no  n(>te  of  time  but  will  keep  the  machinery  going  as  long 
as  there  are  any  tish  left.  The  canneries  are  of  no  actual  benefit  to  the 
country,  as  they  drain  it  of  its  natural  wealth  and  in  retnrn  result  in  no 
imi)r(>vements  or  permanent  settlements. 

The  inhabitants  of  this  country  are  (dassed  as  Oraniansan'l  Indians,  the 
Esquinniux  belonging  to  the  former,  but  there  are  besides  numerous  and 
complicated  subdivisions.  The  (Jreek  church  was  early  established  in 
Alaska,  and  there  are  now  also  many  imi)ortant  mission  stations  belonging 
to  the  Protestant  church.  Public  schools  have  been  in  operation  since  188() 
and  the  attendance  of  children  living  within  a  certain  limit  is  com- 
pulsory. 

Who  can  foretell  the  future  of  this  country  when  the  similarity  between 
its  people  and  the  ancient  liritons,  accoriling  to  the  descriptions  handed 
down  to  us  is  remembered?  In  fact,  the  similarity  in  construction  of  their 
boats  and  of  those  described  l)y  the  companions  of  Ctesar  is  remarkable. 
Their  waters  are  filled  wdth  an  abundance  of  tish.  the  l)rain-producing  food. 
In  the  works  of  their  construction — their  implements,  their  means  of  trans- 
portation, and  their  most  interesting  carving  in  wood,  copper  and  slate  — 
they  have  given  us  evidence  not  only  of  their  enterprise,  but  of  their  in- 
dustry and  great  ingenuity.  Should  the  country  be  occupied  l)y  civilized 
races  who  have  the  advantages  of  all  the  wonderful  modern  inventions  and 
implements,  Alaska  may  yet  play  an  important  part  in  the  great  future, 


JO  IKUSO. 
[)|MM1S  to 

tt(M  Hop 
iii^'  one. 
[>  "hsicli- 
Nvatcr  ill 
(TO  thoy 

r«*  ('urod 
vaicliinj,' 
er.  'Vhii 
I  Indians 
it  cannot 
Lttend  to 
on.  lint 
'SO  in  the 
)ie('o,  tiio 
i*f  as  lonf^ 
lit  to  the 
Lilt  in  no 

lians,  the 
rous  and 
ished  in 
lelonging 
ince  ISSC) 
is  com- 

between 
s  handed 
1  of  their 
narkable. 
ing  food, 
of  trans- 
d  slate  — 
their  in- 
civilized 
tions  and 
,t  future, 


CiKNKKAI-  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


42'.) 


and  the  d(»\eh>|iinent  of  tiie  resources  of  its  mines,  waters  and  forests  nuiy 
0!ie  (hiy  contribute  hu'gely  to  the  welfare  of  the  hiinian  family. 

Coming  down  from  that  far  remote  region  we  |»;iss(m1  through  the  great 
zone  of  British  territory  which  that  government  has  so  tenaciously  held, 
and  the  ownership  of  whicli  was  for  so  long  a  tinu>  the  subject  of  dis[)nte 
between  (Jreat  Hritaiu  ami  the  I'nited  Statrs.  If  we  had  maintained  onr 
position,  our  territory  would  be  now  increased  by  a  domain  (d'  great  value 
not  only  in  nuiterial  wealth  bnt  in  political  importaiu'e.  and  our  I'acitiir 
Coast  line  would  have  been  uninterrupted  fi-um  ('alifoniia  to  Alaska.  Hut 
the  hritish  statesmen  have  with  coiisummat<'  diplomacy,  astute  immage- 
nuMit.  tact  and  sagacity  utilized  this  territory  to  theii-  own  advantage. 
Their  possessions  stret<*hing  aci'oss  the  continent,  divide  our  territoi-y  into 
two  widely  sei)arated  i)arts.  The  country  is  not  thickly  poi)ulat(»(l,  and 
will  not  be,  jn'obably,  for  many  generations.  It  is  very  sparsely  settled 
indeed,  yet  the  vast  wealth  comprised  in  its  maguilicent  forests,  rich 
agricultural  country  and  great  mineral  resources,  nuikes  it  a  valuable  and 
important  territory. 

The  liritish  have  std)sidi/ed  and  constructed  a  great  avenue  of  com- 
merce between  eastern  Canada  and  the  Pacific  Coast,  known  as  the  ( 'amidian 
Pacific  Railroad.  The  energy,  enterprise  and  skill  of  their  engineers,  con- 
tractors and  numagers  in  that  great  work  are  most  ciunmendable  to  the 
men  concerned.  They  claim  with  reason,  to  have  the  short  route  to  the 
Asiatic  trade.  It  is  estinnited  that  the  distance  between  Hongkong  and 
Liverpool  l)y  that  route  is  nineteen  hundred  miles  shorter  than  it  would  .  l; 
by  way  of  San  Francisco  and  New  York. 

Escjnimanlt  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  sheltered  harbors  in  the  world. 
The  British  have  there  established  a  great  naval  station  and  have  con- 
structed a  navy  yard,  with  extensive  dry  docks,  costing  many  millions  of 
dollars.  They  have  laid  out  their  lines  of  fortifications  so  as  to  make  it 
one  of  the  strongholds  of  the  British  empire.  It  is  the  headcpiarters  of 
the  British  Pacific  sc^uadron.  usually  under  the  command  of  a  British  ad- 
miral. It  is  not  unusual  to  see  there  a  fleet  of  British  war  ships  that  are 
eciual  to,  if  not  larger  than  any  of  our  beautiful  white  s(piadron,  of 
which  we  are  so  proud,  and  so  confident  when  we  speak  of  its  prowess;  and 
it  is  far  from  uncommon  to  see  a  stronger  Heet  of  more  formidable  ))attle 
ships  under  the  flag  of  the  cross  of  St.  Ueorgeat  anchor  in  this  harbor  near 
Victoria  than  we  now  possess. 

The  morning  and  the  evening  gun  fired  at  the  navy  yard  near  Victoria 
is  heard  distinctly  at  Port  Townsend  and  along  Puget  Sound  and  the 


>■'»!;  ^ 


.    f , 


m  Tr 

II 
11 


430 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIOXS  OF 


I    I 


t  E  I 


i     \ 


wwl'  *!    *   - 


H 


M  i  ;i  I 


h  i 


Straits  cf  Fuca,  yet  the  United  States  has  not  a  single  l)attery  of  modern 
guns  in  position  to  protect  the  interests  and  commercial  wealth  of  that 
great  northwest  territory.  The  question  of  suital)le  navy  yards,  dry  docks, 
depots  of  construction,  coast  defences,  and  other  matters  in  which  the 
United  States  should  be  interested,  has  been  to  a  great  extent  overlooked, 
and  should  l)e  a  matter  of  serious  consideration  in  the  near  future. 

Before  bidding  adieu  to  that  great  empire  of  the  Northwest  I  can  only 
consider  further  the  changes  that  occurred  under  my  observation  between 
the  years  18S1  and  1S;S5.     Four  years  is  certainly  a  brief  period,  yet  in  that 

short  time  the  Northwest  passed  through 
a  complete  transformation.  As  I  have 
^|/  said  in  the  early  (chapters  on  this  sub- 
ject, we  came  up  the  coast  from  San 
Francisco.  During  the  four  years.  1 
saw  the  Northern  I'acihc.that  great  ave- 
nue of  commercial  communication, 
constructed  from  the  East  to  the  West 
with  all  its  various  branches  and  con- 
necting systems.  Next  to  that  was  con- 
structed what  was  known  as  the  Oregon 
Short  liine,  a  branch  of  the  Ihiion  i*a- 
citic.  diverging  to  the  northwest  from 
Ogden.  Utah,  and  developing  a  great  ter- 
ritory through  Idaho  to  Oregon  and  the 
Columbia  Kiver.  Then  was  constructed 
the  C'Oast  Line  south  from  Portland, 
Oi'egon,  along  the  old  stage  route  to  San 
Francisco  by  which  the  Central  Pacific  and  Southern  Pacitic  were  connected 
with  that  great  northern  country.  Next  in  importance  was  the  great  inter- 
national line,  the  Canadian  Pacitic,  built  under  the  ausjnces  of  the  Canadian 
government  and  supported  by  the  British  empire,  with  its  branch  line  down 
to  Puget  Sound  and  the  Columbia,  thus  giving  us  an  additional  line  of  com- 
munication to  the  east.  Then  with  marvelous  enterprise,  commencing  in  a 
small  bankrupt  line  of  road  out  from  St.  Paul,  that  enterprising  railroad  buil- 
der, Mr.  Hill,  continued  on  and  on,  constructing  his  roads  at  little  expense 
until  he  crossed  the  Rocky  Mountai  ns.  and  linally  found  a  terminus  on  the  Pa- 
cific Coast,  thus  giving  us  that  vast  system  now  known  as  the  Creat  Northern. 
Tb'^se  five  great  systems  of  railway  communication  that  were  con- 
structed principally,  chough  not  entirely,  within  this  period  of  four  years. 


Al.XSKAN    TnTKM. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


431 


modern 
,  of  that 
ry  docks, 
hich  the 
erlooked, 
e. 

can  only 
between 
3t  in  tliat 
i  throujjh 
As  1  ha^•e 
I  this  siib- 
trom  San 
L-  years.   1 
^reat  ave- 
inication, 
the  West 
and  con- 
t  was  con- 
he  Oregon 
Lhiion  Pa- 
west  from 
great  ter- 
11  and  the 
)nstructed 
Portland, 
lite  to  San 
connected 
reat  inter- 
Canadian 
line  down 
lie  of  com- 
ncing  in  a 
Iroad  l)uil- 
le  expense 
on  the  I'a- 
Northern. 
were  con- 
bur  years. 


opened  to  the  world  the  vast  resources  of  a  country  capable  of  contributing 
so  largely  to  the  welfare  of  the  people  of  the  I'liited  States;  for  in  that 
country  are  natural  resources  capable  of  producing  all  that  is  reipiired  by 
mankind.  There  are  its  immense  forests  of  gigantic  trees  affording  wealth 
and  employment  to  thousands;  its  soil  of  unsurpassed  fertility,  capable  of 
producing  a  wonderful  variety  of  i)roducf^.  and  making  possible  unbounded 
Helds  of  waving  grain  and  proliHc  orchards  of  drilcious  fruits;  its  mines 
of  gold  and  silver,  and  its  rich  deposits  of  coal  and  iron  so  essential  to  any 
country  desirous  of  excelling  in  manufactures;  its  great  commercial  advan- 
tages ;  its  wondrous  scenery,  varying  from  pictures(pio  and  rugged  mountain 
peaks  to  smiling,  fertile  valleys;  and  to  crown  all  other  blessings,  its 
delightful  climate,  mild  in  winter,  free  fi-om  tem])ests  in  summer,  and  so 
amazingly  invigorating  to  both  mind  and  body.  With  all  these,  and  count- 
less other  natural  advantages  there  seems  almost  no  limit  to  the  future 
possil)ilities  of  this  extraordinary  country. 


Wir^HTr 


'   ii|  ! 


1  ^1  W-: 


TSum 


1! 


432 


PERSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


i  if!   i 


Jli 


II' 


;;ii!i  I 


Rl 


?!  p 


ill 


i  I: 


CHAPTER  XXXTV. 

From  Indian  Territory  to  Arizona. 

SiTfATiox  IX  TiiK  IxniAx  Tkkkitoky  IN  18S5  —  Tm:  Utk.s  ix  Ni:\v  JIexico  axd  Coi-okaoo  —  Visit 

TO    THE    GlIKYKXXES     AXI)      A  KAl'A  IIOKS — HkCINXINCS    OF    NkW    ApACIIK       TROrBI.KS     IX 

Arizoxa  —  Eaki.v  Ahizoxa,  AXI)  Kaki.iiost  Exi'i.oKATioxs  —  Antikxt  Kiixs 

—  ClIAKArTKK    OF    THE    C>)r\TKY  —  MiNES  —  I'oi'LLATIOX. 

N  this  chapter  it  will  be  necessary  to  revert  to  occurrences  fol- 
lowinjj^  my  transfer  from  the  command  of  the  Department  of  the 
Columbia  to  that  of  the  Missouri,  and  thence  to  that  of  Arizona. 
In  ISS"),  and  for  some  time  previous  to  that  year  there  had 
l)een  clashinjj:  between  the  interests  of  the  Indians  in  the  Indian 
Territory  and  the  owners  of  the  immense  herds  of  cattle  that 
roamed  over  their  reservations.  This,  in  the  summer  of  1885, 
seemed  ready  to  rijien  into  open  hostilities.  A  lar^e  part  of  the 
Territory  had  been  leased,  under  authority  of  the  government, 
fenced  in,  and  to  some  extent  stocked  with  cattle. 

On  account  of  this  authorized  occupation  of  tl^e  Territory  by  white 
men  connected  with  the  cattle  interest,  a  large  numi^er  were  either  perma- 
nently located  there  or  moving  l)ack  and  forth  through  the  country  to 
attend  to  their  affairs.  It  also  gave  opportunity  for  a  large  numlier  of 
lawless  men  to  travel  al)out  the  Territory,  the  result  being  that  many 
disorderly  acts  were  committed  against  the  persons  and  property  of  the 
Indians.  This  created  a  feeling  of  discontent,  disaffection  and  hostility 
on  the  part  of  the  Indians  toward  the  white  people. 

As  a  result  of  these  disturbances,  in  July.  18S5.  I  was  assigned  l)y  the 
President  to  the  command  of  the  Department  of  the  ]\Iissouri.  of  which 
department  the  Indian  Territory  formed  a  part,  and  one-fourth  of  the  army 
was  placed  at  my  disposal.  Under  telegraphic  orders  I  proceeded  from 
Vancouver,  Washington,  to  (Jeneral  Sheridan's  headquarters,  Chicago,  and 
thence  to  the  Indian  Territory. 

Upon  investigation  I  found  that,  as  usual,  the  Indians  were  not  entirely 
in  the  wrong.  The  disaffected  Utes  in  northern  Now  Mexico  and  Colorado 
were  in  a  most  desperate  state,  and  only  withheld  from  actual  out!  reak 
by  the  presence  of  troops  in  their  midst.     Six  of  their  number  had  been 


.  I 


I  { 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  xMlLES. 


433 


no  —  Visit 
;s   IS 


nces  fol- 
iit  of  the 
Arizona, 
liere  had 
e  Indian 
ttle  that 
•  of  1885, 
ft  of  the 
ernment, 

by  white 

perma- 

untry  to 

uml)er  of 

lat  many 

y  of  the 

hostility 

d  l)y  the 
of  which 
the  army 
ded  from 
cage,  and 

t  entirely 
Colorado 
out!  reak 
had  been 


murdered  by  lawless  white  men,  their  reservation  had  been  overrun  and 
their  game  destroyed.  They  were  nearly  starving,  their  daily  ration 
having  been  reduced  to  one-half  a  pound  of  beef  and  one-quarter  of  a 
pound  of  flour  for  each  Indian.     Happily  this  last  cause  of  discontent  was 

remedied  by  the  prompt  action  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior,  who  immediately  increased  the  food 
allowance.     The  hostile  Apaches  were   at   the 
stime  time  threatening  the  frontier  of  south- 
ern New  Mexico,  and  it  was  necessary  to 
keep  troops  in  that  part  (.  ■  the  country 
to  guard  against  their  incursions. 
The   extensive   settlements  in 
southern  Kansas  also  made 
it  necessary  for  a  large 
body  of  troops  to  re- 
main in  that  vicinity 
for  their  protec- 
tion. Bad  as 
w  as  t  h  e 
state 


of  affairs 

in  the  Terri 

tories  adjacent 

to  the  Indian  Terri 

tor  y ,  the   conditions 

there  threatened  immedi 

ate   and    serious    hostility 

between     the   Indian   tribes 

and  the   white  people  living  in 

that  Territory  and  in  the  States  Am/ow  Vkcktation.  (Ciant  Cacti  k). 

of  Texas,  Kansas  and  Colorado.     In   company   with   Lieutenant-Cieneral 

Sheridan     I    visited     the    Cheyenne    and    Arai)ahoe    reservations    and 

found  them  in  a  most  desperate  condition.     'J'he  Indians  were  huddled 

together  in  disagreeble  camps,  and  were  entirely  )>eyond  the  control  of  the 

agent   and  his    Indian    police.     Two  of  their  prominent  men  had  been 

murdered,  and  they  were  turl)ulent,  disaffected,  and  on  the  verge  of  oi)en 


■H  J' 


■I 


1 ,1  \ 
r'i. , 

,i  ■  •  "  ! 


\l 


t!  ■' 


i'.r    ; 


43.i 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OP' 


m 


'i  il:l 


hostilities.  As  is  usually  the  case  when  anj'  disturbance  occurs,  there  was 
a  large  number  of  white  men  with  no  visible  means  of  support  hovering 
about,  and  endeivVoring  to  turn  the  turbulent  condition  of  affairs  to  their 
own  advantage. 

While  Lieutenant-General  Sheridan  listened  to  the  complaints  of  the 
Indians,  investigated  the  relationship  between  the  Indians  and  the  white 
people,  a?Hl  the  effect  produced  by  leasing  the  lands  to  white  men,  I  de- 
voted much  of  my  attention  to  the  condition  of  the  troops  and  their  proper 
equipment,  organization.  supi)lies,  means  of  transportation  and  everything 
that  was  required  to  put  them  in  proper  condition  for  active  campaigning 
in  case  United  States  troops  were  required.  Fortunately  I  had  known 
many  of  the  principal  Indians  as  a  result  of  the  campaign  of  1S74-5  in  the 
southwest;  also  a  number  of  the  prominent  Cheyenne  Indians  had  sur- 
rendered to  me  in  Montana  in  1S77  and  had  since  l)een  moved  down  to  the 
Indian  Territory.  These  were  sent  for  and  counseled  with,  and  I  was 
enabled  to  give  them  good  advice  which  they  heeded.  (Jeneral  Sheridan 
had  also  met  many  prominent  warriors  in  l!S()D  and  subsequently. 

The  threatening  condition  of  affairs  was  soon  changed.  The  President 
revoked  the  cattle  leases,  and  the  Indians  were  soon  brought  under  con- 
trol. A  very  efficient  officer.  \.'aptain  Lee,  was  placed  in  charge  of  the 
agency.  Under  his  able  administration  their  condition  rr.pidly  improved. 
On"  hundred  and  thirty  of  the  most  active  and  restless  of  the  young  men 
were  enlisted  as  soldiers,  and  performed  good  service  under  the  command 
of  competent  officers.  In  addition  to  their  military  duties  the>  were  re- 
quired to  cultivate  ground  enough  to  raise  all  Hie  vegetables  they  would 
require  during  the  year.  The  reservation  was  summarily  ckaied  of  the 
lawless  white  men  who  infested  it  and  peace  and  conffdence  were  once 
more  restored.  The  military  garrisons  were  increased,  and  affai^"  speedily 
became  so  (juiet.  that  i"lie  large  bodies  of  troops  which  it  had  been  neces- 
sary to  call  from  other  departments  were  returned  to  their  proper  stations. 

As  the  tide  of  white  settlers  rolled  westward,  driving  the  Indians  before 
it,  the  idea  of  setting  apart  the  huge  block  of  country  known  as  the  Indian 
Territory,  where  the  scattered  tribes  of  Indians  could  be  congregated,  was 
at  the  time  a  good  one,  and  wise  and  judicious  in  every  respect.  But  in 
1SS5  the  Territory  had  outlived  its  usefulness,  and  served  merely  as  an  im- 
pediment in  the  pathway  of  progress.  Without  courts  of  justice  or  pul)lic 
institutions,  without  roads  or  bridges  or  railways,  it  was  nothing  more 
than  a  dark  blot  in  the  midst  of  a  great  and  progressive  country.  It  had 
naturally  become  the  refuge  of  outlaws  and  the  indolent  of  all  races  and 


GENERAL  XhLSOX  A.  MILKS. 


435 


classes,  aiul  the  vices  introduced  in  this  way  were  rapidly  destroying  the 
Indians.  Although  it  containtnl  land  sutticient  to  maintain  millions  of  en- 
lightened people,  it  wfis  actually  costing  the  government  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars  yearly  to  maintain  nearly  seventy-tive  thousand 
Indians  who  made  it  their  home. 

Being  Hrmly  convinced  that  such  was  the  case,  T  could  do  no  less  than 
recommend  that  measures  should  he  taken  to  l)riug  about  a  decided 
change,  as  I  l)elieved,  for  the  better.  The  reconnnendation  contained  in 
my  annual  re])ort  of  ISS.")  was  substantially  as  follows: 

That  Congress  should  authorize  the  President  to  ai)point  a  commission 
of  three  experienced,  competent  men.  empowered  to  tieat  with  the  diit'er- 
ent  tribes;  to  consider  all  legal  or  just  claims  to  titles  ;  to  grant  to  the 
Indian  occupants  of  the  territory  .  uch  (juantity  of  land  in  severalty  as 
might  be  required  for  their  support,  but  not  transferable  for  twenty 
years  ;  that  their  title  to  the  remainder  be  so  far  extinguished  as  that  it 
might  be  held  in  trust  or  sold  l)y  the  government,  and  that  a  sufficient 
amount  of  the  proceeds  should  be  granted  them  to  indemnify  them  for  any 
interest  they  might  possess  in  the  land  ;  that  enough  of  said  proceeds  be 
provided  to  enable  the  Incaans  in  the  Territory  to  become  self  sustaining. 
The  land  not  required  for  Indian  occupation  to  be  thrown  open  for  settle- 
ment under  the  same  laws  and  rules  as  have  been  applied  to  the  public 
domain. 

This  was  the  same  course  that  I  had  recommended  before  in  the  north- 
west, while  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Columbia,  and.  having 
demonstrated  its  success  by  actual  experiment.  I  knew  that  the  plan  was 
practical,  just  and  humane.  If  there  have  l»eeu  failures  in  attempting  to 
carry  it  out,  it  was  because  the  officials  appointed  to  treat  with  the  Indians 
were  inexperienced  and  did  not  understand  the  Indian's  method  of  reason- 
ing, his  tastes  or  his  ambitions;  or  because  they  were  theorists,  instead  of 
being  practical  men,  capable  of  inspiring  confidence.  I  also  favored  the 
employment  of  a  number  of  Indians  in  the  army,  as  scouts,  guides  and  trail- 
ers knowing  from  personal  experience  that  they  were  endowed  with  many 
of  the  qualities  that  would  make  them  useful.  I  had  commanded  Indians 
in  various  parts  of  the  AVest  for  years,  and,  besides  having  found  them  of 
great  value  in  numerous  ways,  never  in  the  whole  course  of  my  acquaint- 
ance with  them  did  I  know  one  of  them  to  be  unfaithful  to  a  trust. 

Everything  pertaining  to  the  Department  of  the  Missouri  now  being 
quiet,  I  was  looking  forward  to  a  peaceful  sojourn  at  Fort  Leavenworth, 
W'hich  had  formerly  been  my  headcpiarters  for  several  years  while  colonel 


H 


n 


n 


1, 

1:  : 

'    1 

;  ! 

'-Hif' 

li 

;i 


436 


I'EKSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


ill  \  i  \ 

! 
J 

Lh 

of  the  F'ifth  Infantry  ;  but  the  wilj'  Apaches  were  l)usily  at  work  in  a  way 
to  completely  frustrate  any  such  designs  on  my  part.  Within  nine 
months  from  the  time  1  took  command  of  the  De})artment  of  the  Missouri 
I  was  assigned  to  the  Department  of  Arizona,  where  the  Apaches  were 
devastating  the  country. 

For  many  years  there  had  been  serious  troubles  with  these  Indians. 
They  would  allow  themselves  to  be  placed  on  reservations,  and  after 
remaining  there  as  long  as  their  own  convenience  dictated,  would  suddenly 
escape  to  the  mountains,  and  from  there  send  out  raidii.g  parties  in 
all  directions  to  burn,  plunder  and  terrorize  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country.  While  the  Indians  still  renuiining  at  the  agencies  did  not  take 
active  part  in  these  hostilities  they  aided  and  abetted  the  actual  offenders 
in  many  ways,  thus  enal)ling  them  to  resist  the  troops  sent  against  them 
much  longer  than  would  otherwise  have  been  i)ossible. 

In  Anzona  the  state  of  affairs  was  altogether  different  from  that  which 
had  prevailed  in  my  campaigns  against  the  Sioux.  In  the  north  the  terri- 
ble cold  was  the  chief  obstacle  to  success,  while  in  Arizona  the  heat  and 
want  of  water  were  equally  formidable.  The  Apaches  had  for  generations 
been  accustomed  to  the  heat,  the  rugged  mountains,  and  the  scarcity  of 
water,  against  which  the  troops  found  it  s«.  diffi"ult  to  contend,  and  had 
moved  from  one  place  to  another  so  ([uickly  and  stealthily  that  the  settlers 
could  never  for  a  moment  feel  sure  of  the  safety  of  their  lives  and  prop- 
erty. The  Apaches  devoted  theniselves  with  great  impartiality  to  Arizona, 
New  Mexico,  and  Northern  Mexico;  and  the  citizens  of  these  parts  of  the 
country  had  become  so  paralyzed  with  terror,  as  to  cause  in  many  in- 
stances the  al)and()nment  of  the  ordinary  avocations  of  life. 

Before  entering  upon  the  history  of  the  campaign  against  the  Apaches, 
it  may  be  interesting  to  glance  briefly  at  the  peculiar  history  and  still 
more  peculiar  geographical  features  of  the  vast  region  the  Apache  so  long 
dominated. 

In  prehistoric  times,  Arizona  was  probably  inhabited  by  a  very  superior 
race,  judging  by  the  ruins  of  their  cities,  aqueducts,  fortifications,  etc. 
But  the  known  history  of  the  t<^rritory  extends  back  only  to  the  time  of 
Narvaez's  ill-starred  expedition  to  Florida,  after  the  failure  of  which  Ca- 
beza  de  Vaca,  the  treasurer  of  the  expedition,  who  probably  little  realized 
the  extent  of  his  undertaking,  with  three  companions  started  to  walk 
across  the  continent  as  the  only  possible  chance  of  being  able  to  join  the 
Spaniards  in  Mexico.  The  wanderings  and  adventures  of  these  men  dur- 
ing their  tremendous  pedestrian  tour  read  like  a  romance.     They  waded 


I  a  way 
1  nine 
[issouri 
IS  were 

ndions. 
d  after 
iddenly 
•ties  in 
of  the 
ot  take 
Senders 
st  tliem 

t  which 
le  terri- 
[eat  and 
Brations 
ircity  of 
md  had 
settlers 
id  prop- 
\^rizona, 
s  of  the 
lany  in- 

ipaches, 

nd   still 

so  long 

superior 
>ns,  etc. 
time  of 
lich  Ca- 
realized 
to  walk 
join  the 
len  dur- 
^  waded 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


437 


the  swamps  and  l)ayous  of  Florida,  passed  through  what  is  now  Georgia. 
Alabama  and  Mississippi,  discovered  the  Father  of  Waters  nearly  ten 
years  before  the  eyes  of  De  Soto  rested  ui)on  it,  followed  along  the 
course  of  a  great  river  supposed  to  have  been  ihe  Arkansas,  entered  New 
Mexico,  and  hiially  reached  a  Pinui  settlement  on  the  Uila  Kiver  in  Ari- 
zona, These  Indians  treated  them  with  nuirked  deference,  and  having 
heard  of  the  coming  of  the  Spaniards  to  the 
south,  were  al)le  to  direct  the  wai 
ico,  where  they  finally  arrived, 
bronzed,  dirty,  and  so  wild  in 
Uieir  appearance  that  their  fel- 
low-countrymen could  hardly 
believe  that  they  were  gazing 
upon  white  men  and  Spaniards. 
The  stones  told  by  these 
men  of    the    wonders   encoun- 


tered by  them  during 
their  j  on  r  ne  y  i  n  g  . 
aroused  the  spirit  of 
adventure  and  cupidity 
in  the  Si)aniavds,  who 
were  never  very  loath 
to  undertake  any  enter- 
prise that  promised  ei- 
ther gold  or  glory.  The 
priests  also  listened  to 
the  wonderful  tales  and 
one  of  them,  Padre 
Marco  de  Niza.  organized  an  expedition  that  pushed  north  to  the 
valleys  of  central  Arizona,  and  thence  northeast  to  l)eyond  the 
Little  Colorado,  where  they  beheld  the  first  of  the  Seven  Cities  de- 
scribed by  Cabeza  de  Vaca,  The  return  of  this  party  wrought  the 
Spaniards  up  to  such  a  pit^ii  of  excitement  that  the  expedition  of 
Coronado,  in  1540,  was  the  result.  This  expedition  was  a  strong  one, 
numbering  nearly  a  thousand  men.  all  of  v.hom  expected  to   hud  and 


Cr.Il'K  Dwi'.I.I.INdS  (IN  liKAVKH  CkKKIC.  A  KlZi  INA. 'I'll  HKI;  !MiI,I:s  ri!(iM 
FoKl'  \'i:i!l)I,  SoMKTl.MKS  CaI.I.I:!)  .MiiNTKZl  .m  a's   I'ai.ack. 


I 


!l 


J    ■ 

m 


m 


iil'r^i 


'I 


Hiill 


''  ' 
,  i' 


!   ,. 


'11  . 
I. 


'■  i  J  M 


■ 


if 


I    !   ■ 


;f 


'in 


liili 


iir 


n 


' 


438 


PEIISOXAI.  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


conquer  another  people  as  rich  in  the  precious  metals  as  they  had  found  the 
Aztecs  to  he.  Only  a  few  poor  and  insij^'nitlcant  villaj^es  rewarded  their 
search,  however,  and  disappointed  in  his  dreams  of  conquest  in  that 
direction  the  Spanish  leader  turned  to  what  is  now  New  Mexico,  where 
he  met  with  no  better  success.  From  New  Mexico  he  traveled  to 
the  north  and  east  and  explored  the  countr  as  far  as  the  site  of  the 
present  city  of  Denver,  and  i)n)l>ahly  even  reached  the  Missouri,  after 
which,  at  the  end  of  the  two  years  of  profitless  wmderings.  he  and  his  men 
returned  to  Mexic-. 

Both  Cabeza  u  •  Vaca  and  Coronadc*  ,5  :  -m.  ;Ht  rh?  numerous  traces  of  a 
prehistoric  race  scattered  throughort  rlns  n  Ion.  First  in  importance 
am  on  jjj  these  ruins  was  the  famous  Casa  *  landv  ,  which  is  still  standing, 
thouj,'h  naturally  not  in  so  good  a  state  of  pre.  ervation  as  it  show^ed 
three  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.  In  loJd,  when  vis- 
ited by  Coronado,  this  ruin  was  described  as  being 
four  stories  iiigli  with  walls  six  feet 
in  thickness.  Around  it  were  many 
other  ruins  which  proved  that  a  city 
of  considerable  size  had  once  existed 
there.  Like  the  Fgyptians  who  now 
dwell  beneath  the  shadow^  of  the  pyr- 
amids and  know  nothing  of  their 
origin,  the  Pima  Indians  who  were 
living  in  its  immediate  vicinity  knew 
nothing  of  its  origin  or  history, 
an(^  it  had  been  a  ruin  farther 
back  than  the  earliest  date  mentioned  in  any  of  their  traditions. 
After  Coronado's  visit  forty  years  elapsed  before  another  attempt  was 
made  to  explore  Arizona.  Init  in  15S-2  Espejo  led  an  expedition  far  toward 
the  north  aiul  discovered  rich  silver  ore  at  a  spot  which  is  now  supposed 
to  have  been  in  what  we  have  named  the  I)lack  Hills,  in  Dakota.  So  far 
as  we  know  this  was  the  Hrst  finding,  in  that  vast  region,  of  the  precious 
metals  which  have  since  given  that  country  its  chief  importance  in  the 
world. 

As  the  Spanish  cavaliers  undertook  these  expeditions  merely  for  the 
sake  of  gaining  suddfMi  wealth  sr.ch  as  had  been  acquired  by  the  con- 
querors of  Mexico  and  Peru,  they  never  troul)led  themselves  to  plant 
colonies,  so  that  the  history  of  most  of  the  old  Spanish  towns  in  America 
dates  back  no  further  than  to  the  missions  established  there  by  the  priests. 


(>i,i)i:sT  lIoisK  IV  Tin:  1'mi'i:i)  Statics,  S.wta   Vy'..  X.  M. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


4:19 


The  first  niissioii  within  tlie  orosont  limits  of  Arizona  was  fonndod  at  a 
place  then  calletl  (irevavi,  in  KiST.  I>y  Fray  Eusehio  Francisco  Kino  and 
''adre  Juan  Maria  h' livatierra  and  ))y  17"J(>  there  had  l)een  nine  such 
(aissions  estahlishtd.  After  the  ^j^reat  Indian  revolt  which  occurred  ii; 
'751,  in  whi"li  the  Spaniards  \v<  re  driven  entirely  out  of  the  country,  the 
presidios  of  Tu  son  and  Tuhec  were  founded  and  maintained  w  ith  snuill 
p^arrisonsof  soldiers  for 
the  i)rotec^io)^  of  the 
missions.  Besides  these 
there  were  a  number 
of  small  ))ut  tiourishin^ 
settlements  pos  "ssinjj; 
large  flocks  of  >  beep 
and  herds  of  cattle ; 
mining  was  also  vigor- 
ously prosecuted. 

As  a  result  of  the 
Mexican  war.  )»y  the 
treaty  of  Guadalupe  in 
1S47,  all  that  portion  of 
the  territory  north  of 
the  Gila  Hi  ver  was  ceded 
to  the  United  States.  At  that  time  there  w  as  not  a  single  white  inhaltitant 
in  all  that  vast  region  wliicli  stretched  from  the  Gila  Hiver  north  to  the 
present  Utah  l)Oundaiy.  and  from  the  Colorado  Hiver  to  the  present  line 
of  New  Mexico.  In  lsr)4  that  i)ortion  of  the  territory  lying  south  of  the 
Gila  was  acquired  from  Mexico  by  the  treaty  negotiated  by  .lames  (Jadsden; 
then  minister  to  Mexico,  and  at  a  cost  of  $  1 0.00( M •< ►<>.  On  the  last  day  of 
l)eceml)er,  bsr)4.  a  memorial  to  (.'ongress  was  introduced  in  the  legislature 
of  New  Mexico  praying  for  the  organization  of  the  western  jKU'tion  of  that 
territory  into  a  separate  political  division.  IMmeria  was  the  tir.st  name 
given  to  the  teriitory  thus  cut  off  from  New  Mexico.  I)ut  it  was  soon 
changed  to  Arizona.  The  origin  of  the  latter  name  is  not  positively 
knowai;  some  claiming  that  it  means  "little  creek"  in  the  Pima  language, 
while  others  hold  that  it  is  derived  from  two  Pinui  words  "ari"  a  nuiiden, 
and  "zon"  a  v.illey  or  country,  having  reference  to  a  traditionary  maiden 
queyn  who  once  ruled  the  whole  i'ima  mition.  The  name  can  also  l)e 
traced  to  the  meaning  of  two  Sj^anish  words  combined  into  one,  and 
signifying  a  dry  belt  —  an  '"arid  zone." 


l'i:ri!ii'ii:i)  I-'ohkst,  Aiu/.ona. 


'il 


Vi 


h   ! 


440 


PKHSOXAI.  UKCOM^KCTIONS  OF 


I  ,      -  «i 


iw.'     ' 


11;' 


(  : 


''Vn 


fi 


Tliis  attoinpt  to  secure  u  TnTitorial  ^M>v('rnnHMit  was  iinsuroessful,  hut, 
still  the  country  slowly  prospered.  A  stjij^'e  route  was  oriziuiized,  the  mines 
were  worked,  and  despite*  the  <*ontinual  rava^'es  ot  tiie  Indians  the  country 
seenied  on  the  iiif^'h  road  to  prosperity  up  to  tiie  time  of  the  hreakiufj;  out 
(»f  the  Civil  War.  The  trooi)s  were  then  ordered  out  of  the  country  for 
service  elsewhere,  and  every  American  who  couUl  do  so  tied  to  California 
or  to  Sonora,  Mexico.  Then,  as  there  was  ahsolutely  no  ono  to  control 
them,  the  Ai>aches  swe[»t  down  fi'om  their  mountain  hei^dits  and  indulj.fed 
in  a  pf'rl'ect  saturnalia  of  slau;,ditei  anion^'  the  settlers  who  had  been  so 
unfortunate  as  to  renuiin  behind.     In   FebruarV:    iSCrJ.  the  Confederates 


took    possession    of    a 
but  retreated    in    May 
umn  of  volun- 
nia.     The  pres- 
sjtired   con- 
set  1 1  e  r  s  ;v!'?*t 


,rfMi  ' 


porti()n  of  the  country, 

on  tlie  comini^  of  a  col- 

teers  from  Califor- 

ence   of  these    in- 

t1  d  e  n  c  e  .  and 

aj^'ain  ventured 

into   tiie  Terri- 


TiiK  I'aintkd  Dkskkt 


tory.  (lold  was  discovered 
on  the  Coh)rado.  and  l)usi- 
ness  once  more  began  to  re- 
vive. 

It  was  not  until  1S()8  that  the  country  jj^ained  a  political  existence 
separate  from  New  Mexico.  During  the  following  ten  years  its  history  was 
a  ^)loody  one.  the  Indians  laying  waste  the  country  and  killing  the  white 
settlers  wlienever  they  could  get  an  opi)ortunity.  But  immigration  still 
went  on,  the  rich  mines  l)eing  the  lodestone  that  drew  crowds  of  adven- 
turers in  spite  of  the  terror  inspired  by  the  Apaches.  Settlements  gradu- 
ally took  root,  and  in  1.S7N,  when  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  was  built 
through  the  Territory,  a  brighter  period  in  Arizona's  history  begins. 

The  surface  of  Arizona  may  be  described  as  a  vast,  lofty  plateau,  in  the 
northern  part  crossed  and  recrossed  by  mountain  ranges,  deep  canons  and 
narrow  valleys.     This  northern  part  is  fi-om  five  thousand  to  seven  thous- 


I     'i 


il  l.ufc 
iniiu'S 
MMitiy 
iijj;  out 
:ry  Un' 
forniii 
oiitrol 

eeii  so 
lenitos 
)untry, 
f  a  ('(»l- 
'alit'or- 
?se  in- 
e  .  and 
'iitured 
,  'Vevvi- 


overed 
d  l)usi- 
11  to  re- 

istence 
ory  was 
e  white 
on  still 
adven- 
gradii- 

iis  built 
I. 
,  in  the 

ions  and 
thous- 


(JKNKItAI.  NKI,S()N  A.  MII.KS. 


441 


and  feet  al)ov«^  the  sea  1(>V('1.  Itut  ^'radiially  decieascs  in  altitude  toward 
the  south.  The  highest  mountain  peak  is  Mount  San  Krancisco.  a  luige 
extinet  voh-anic  cone,  thirteen  tliousand  feet  in  hcigiit.  uhich  nniy  \)0  seen 
two  liundred  miles  away.  Ihiring  tlie  melting  of  tiie  winter  snows  and 
after  the  heavy  summer  rains, 
tiie  deei)  gorges  and  ravines 
are  tilhMl  w  ith  wild  and  furious 
Hoods  that  carry  everything 
l)efore  them. 

The  most  extensive  of  the 
table  lands  of  Arizona  is  known 
as  the  Colorado  plateau,  lie- 
tween  the  nuissive  nnunitain 
ranges  that  diversify  its  sur- 
face; are  extensive  grassy  i)lains 
and  valleys  witli  a  fertile  soil 
and  delightful  climat<'.  This 
great  region  is  drained  by  many 
rivers.  The  southwestern  i)or- 
tion  of  the  territory  adjacent 
to  the  gulf  is  made  up  of  plains 
covered  vvith  coarse  grass  and 
scanty  shrubbery,  but  almost 
devc/id  of  all  other  vegetation. 
The  soil  is  uni)roductive  with- 
out irrigation,  and  in  places 
water  is  very  scarce.  In  the 
southeast  a  different  order  of 
things  prevails.  Here  the  lofty 
mountain  ranges  are  covered 
with  some  verdure  and  are  in- 
terspersed with  l)road  valleys 
affording  fair  pasturage.  Central  Arizona  contain.^  the  richest  body  of 
agricultural  land  in  the  Territory,  and  the  valleys  of  the  (iila  and  the 
Salt  Rivers  rank  among  the  best.  In  these  valleys  is  a  soil  on  which 
anything  will  grow  that  can  be  raised  within  the  tenii>erate  and  semi- 
tropical  zones,  and  the  climate  is  almost  unetinaled  but  here  also,  as 
elsewiiere.  irrigation  is  reijuired. 

North  from  the  junction  of  the  Little  and  (ireat  Colorado  Rivers  is  a 


A  ("  \.'\iiN-  A   Mii.K  I)i:i;i', 


! 


M, 


I  I 


fil 


442 


PKifSONAI-  HKCOI.I-KCTIONS  OK 


'<      i 


most  reiiijirl\Jil»k^  ivj^ion  known  as  the  Paintrd  Dpsort,  or  as  t lie  Indians, 
wlio  cjirofully  avoid  tlu»  spot,  call  it.  "the  country  of  departed  spirits."  It 
is  a  perfect  picture  of  desolation,  hein^'  entirely  destitute  of  water  and 
vegetation,  and  with  its  entire  surface  covered  with  is(dated  peaks  and 

huttes  fashioned  by  the  floods 
of  ages  into  the  most  fantastic 
and  grotes»(ue  shapes.  The  air 
is  wonderfully  clear,  and  shows 
marvelous  mirages  in  the  form 
of  temples,  fountains,  fortili- 
cations.  beautiful  landscai)es. 
companies  of  peoph*.  and  all 
painted  hy  the  atmosphere  in 
such  a  way  that  it  seems  im- 
l)ossil)le  t(>  doubt  their  reality. 
The  Colorado  River,  which 
cntsses  the  northwest  corner 
and  forms  i)art  of  the  western 
boundary  of  Arizona,  ranks 
among  the  gre^it  rivers  of  the 
continent.  The  <irand  Canon 
of  the  Colorado  is  one  of  the 
wonders  of  nature,  the  dupli- 
cate of  which  can  nowhere  be 
found.  This  tremendous  gorge, 
from  one  thousand  to  seven 
thousand  feet  in  depth,  cuts 
its  way  through  the  solid  rock 
for  more  than  four  hundred 
miles,  and  though  its  beauty 

SiiiNi-M.)  Altar  from  Brink  of  Makiu.i:  CaSon.  IS  of  a  dark  and  gloomy  char- 

acter, it  is  superbly  grand. 
Standing  l>eside  its  I'ushing  waters  it  gives  one  a  strange  sensation  to  real- 
ize that  he  is  over  a  mile  lielow  the  crust  of  the  earth.  The  Colorado  is 
one  of  the  principal  tril)utaries  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  tlie  American  conti- 
nent, and  down  its  course  there  flows  a  volume  of  water  rivaling  that  of  the 
Nile,  and  capable  of  irrigating  a  territory  several  times  the  extent  of  Egypt. 
The  flrst  miners  in  Arizona  were  the  old  Jesuit  fathers.  Their  success 
encouraged  others,  and  many  rich  discoveries  were  made.     The  largest 


:   4 


GKNKUAL  NKl.SON   A.  MII.KS. 


44a 


pipce  of  silver  ever  found,  and  which  \v<»ij,'h(Mi  twoiity-spveii  iiiiininMJ 
)»()uii<ls.  wiiM  tsil\(Mi  from  an  Arizona  mine.  IMiilip  V.  of  Spain  conliscatiMl 
tiiis  nng^'ct  on  the  gronnd  that  it  was  a  curiosity  an«l.  therefore,  hch>nj;cd 
to  tiio  crown.  Tiic  first  niiniiij^'  hy  Americans  was  nn«h'rtaiven  in  the 
Santa  Kita  Mountains  hy  a  company  or;/ani/ed  in  IS")').  Naturally,  mining' 
was  carried  on  with  considerahle  dilliculty.  as  all  su|iplies  iiad  to  l)e 
brought  overland  from  St.  Louis  or  from  the  (iiilf  of  Calilornia.  and  tho 
terrible  Apaches  were  ev(M'  alert  to  destroy  any  wiiite  man  that  came 
within  tlH»ir  power. 

At  th(»  lime  of  the  Civil  War,  mining,  lil<e  everything  else  in  Arizona, 
came  to  a  standstill,  but  in  spite  of  all  drawbacks  the  Territory  soon  took 
rank  with  the  foremost  mining  loculitirs  in  its  output  of  silver.  The 
placing  of  the  hostile  Apaches  on  reservations,  and  the  entrance  of  two  of 
the  great  railnuids  into  the  country,  largely  contributed  to  this  result. 
The  closing  of  some  of  the  silver  mines  caused  by  the  low  [trice  of  .silver 
in  these  recent  times  has  resulted  in  a  nuirked  increase  of  the  gold  pro- 
duction, and  the  prospects  are  that  Arizona  will  soon  be  prominent  among 
the  States  and  Territories  in  the  production  of  thiit  metal.  The  gold  out- 
put of  1S<I4  was  valued  at  $2,()S(),L>r)0,  and  the  silver  at  Sl.TdO.SOO,  and. 
besides  this,  4S.'27(),")(K)  pounds  of  c()pi)er  were  mined.  One  of  the  mo.st 
valuable  products  of  the  Territory  is  co^tper,  and  in  this,  Arizona  rivals  the 
great  deposits  of  Lake  Superior  and  western  Montana. 

In  ISOO  the  census  returns  gave  the  population  of  Arizona  as  59,620. 
Ph(enix,  the  present  capital  of  the  Territory,  is  pleasantly  situated  in  the 
Salt  River  Valley.  lu  this  region  much  has  been  done  by  irrigation,  and 
large  orange  groves  and  tine  vineyards  are  the  result.  Tucson  is  the 
largest  city. 

While  in  command  of  the  Department  of  the  Columbia,  in  the  spring 
of  1S82,  I  visited  San  Francisco,  and  there  met  (ieneral  W.  T.  Sherman, 
commanding  the  army.  He  had  just  passed  through  the  Territories  of  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona.  The  condition  of  affairs  at  that  time,  especially  in 
Arizona,  was  not  satisfactory,  and  in  fact  was  very  serious.  The  Apache 
Indians  were  01  the  warpath,  and  were  committing  depredations  in  various 
sections  of  the  Territory,  It  had  been  decided  to  make  a  change  in 
the  command  of  tliat  department,  and  General  Sherman  suggested  that  I 
should  be  assigned  to  the  command,  but  said  the  change  wo!i!d  not  be 
made  unless  it  was  agreeable  to  me.  I  replied  that  I  did  not  desire  to  go 
there;  that  other  oflicei's  had  had  experience  in  that  pari  of  the  country 
and  1  thought  it  better  to  give   them  an  opportunity  of  restoring  pe'LvCt, 


M  — -iii 


TKIiSONAL  liKCOLI.K'CTIONS  OF 

igatiii^'  tlio    Indians   and    ovcntiially    l>rijigiiig   tlieiii  under  control; 

had  hoen  hut  ro('(Mitly  assij^ncd  to  thcscouunaiid  of  tho  Dopariincint  of 

►hiinhia   and  was  niucli  interested  in  the  carets  and  responsihilities  of 

that,  conunand  and  in  thedeveh)i)inent  and  progress  of  tliat  great, northvvt^st 

country.     Tliis  ended  tlu^  (Conversation,  aiul  the  suhject.  of  my  going  to 

that  i)art,  of  the  Tnited  States  was  at  that  time  dismissed. 

Still  I  watched  witli  great  interest  the  reports  from  that  section  of 
country;  all  that  was  puhlisluMl  i-egarding  the  depredations  of  the  Indians. 
th(^  iiovcMuents  of  troo[»s.  and  the  various  [)hases  incident  to  hostiliti(\s  of 
tliat  nature  wen^  carefully  noted.  I  traced  on  the  hest  nuips  that  I  coidd 
ohtaiu  of  that  country  the  movenuMits  of  the  Indians  according  to  the 
dales  as  th(\v  werci  repoi'ted,  ohsei'ved  where  and  wIkmi  hostiliti(\s  were 
(•(Mumitted.  wher(^  and  when  certain  hiinds  of  warriors  a,ppeaf(Ml.  from 
wluMK'e  they  came  and  in  what  direction  they  were  reported  to  have  gone, 
comparing  one  I'eport  with  anothei',  and  thei'c^hy  tracing  as  far  as  practica- 
ble the  habits  and  actions  of  the  hostile  Indians.  I  thus  became  somewhat 
familiar  wirii  the  raids  of  the  Indians  and  the  routes  of  travel  they  most 
fr<Mpu^ntly  pursued  along  certain  ranges  of  uu)untains  the  topographical 
features  of  which  were  givcMi  on  the  ofli<;ial  maps.  I  kc^jt  trace  of  tliese 
to  a  certain  extent  while  in  comnuiiMl  of  tlu^  Dc^iartnient  of  theColumhia, 
and  when  afterwards  transferred  to  ihe  Department  of  the  Missouri,  with 
heaxhpiarters  at  Leavenworth.  Kansas,  continued  to  follow  the  course  of 
events  with  more  or  less  interest. 


Diitrol ; 

Udllt  of 

ties  of 
thvvest 
oiiig  to 

•tion  of 
iidisms. 
lifu^s  of 

1   (MXlld 

to  the 
[»s  were 
I.    from 
^e  j^one, 
)ni('ti('a- 
inevvliat 
ley  most 
rapbical 
of  tliese 
[)lunil)ia, 
iri,  with 
;ourse  of 


GENEliAI-  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


445 


CTTAPTET^   XXXV. 

The  Ai'acuk  and  tiik  Soi.dikk. 

(tKNKkai.    (Iriiok    AM)    Ills     10\i'Kiiii;N('i;s  —  ('iiak.\('I'i;k   ok    'I'liiosi;     Isruvss — Ii.i.isrn ativi;     I\- 

s'i'ANci:s— A     N\'n,i>i;i{M:ss    ('.i:mi:'I'i:uv  —  Moi  ncain     1"'as'im;ssi;s    ni'    Ahiziina  — 

i;i:s()ii;('i'.s  nr  'imif.    Ai'aciiI':  in    \\'\|{ —  A    Foiimkk  (' v.Mi'AKiN, 

l':NKI{y\li    Ch'OOK     had    he(Mi     tryiii<,'    for    yeiirs   to    hrii)g    the 
Ai)a,('h(^s  to  terms,  and  oil  several  oeciisioiis  wilhiii  thirty  yea I's 
they  had  pretended  to  siiri(Mid(M"   iiiid  had  aeccptcMl  the  terms 
j^nveii  them   by  th(^  ^ov(M*iimeiit.     They    woidd  thru  j^'o  back  to 
tl.eir  a^eii(ti(^s  with  th(Mr  [(hinder,  stohui  stock,  and  for  a  fresh 
supply  of  t luMiiiinitions  of  wai',  and  after  reniiiiniii}.^  (piiet  for 
sometime  would  suddenly  bn^ak  oiitiiffain  with  renc^wed  ferocity. 
There  wer(^  vjirioiis  bands  of  A|)ji,ch(\s-    Yuma,.  Moliji,v(\  White  Moun- 
tain, Chiiiciihiia   iuid  other  brancluvs.     The  Chiricaiuiiis  wen^  the   worst, 
wihiest  stud  stroii'j^est  of  all.     The  Apiiclu^  re^:irde<l   himself  as  tlu^    first 


man; 


tl 


le 


sii 


[>en 


oi'    man. 


as 


tl 


i(^    worcl 


A  pad 


le  iiK 


iicat 


(^'^. 


II  some  re- 


s])ects  thoy  regally  were  superior.  Th(\v  excelled  in  sJreii^dh.  activity, 
(MidnraiK^e,  and  a.ls()  in  criudty.  They  were  cruel  to  everythiii}^'  I  hat  <'anm 
within  their  power.  If  th(>  yoiiii}.,'  Apache  conld  capture  a,  bird  or  a 
moiis(>  or  any  living  thin<.r,  hci  took  the  keenest  deli;^di<  in  tortiiriiiji  it, 
and  this  s|KM',i(»s  of  cruelty  did  not  disappear  even  when  th(\v  ^M'ew  to  be 
stalwart  men.  Tli(\v  took  pleasiirci  in  toiMiientinj^'  any  liviti}/  creatine  from 
a  hird  to  a  lior.se.  Their  atrocities  a,r(^  simply  too  horrihie  ari(J  shocking'  to 
write  out  in  words. 

Then^  is  an  Indian  l»y  the  name  of  Schimi/ene  still  liviiij,'  in  that  Ter- 
ritory who.  for  a  niimlxM'  of  years  was  in  the  habit  of  traveling  pasta 
certain  white  man's  dwelliiiu',  and  on  these  occasions  was  iilways  tr<'ated 
kiiully,  j^'iven  food,  and  made  conifortahle  wheiiexer  he  cared  to  tarry. 
One  morning  after  ha\iiij,' stayed  there  loirr  enoii^di  to  seciii'e  a  ^^nxid 
hreaJvfast,  lie  picke(|  lip  Ins   I'ille  and   kilh^d  his    heiiefa.ctor,  and  t  hen    went 


awav  boastiii<r  of  what  a  st  ronir  heart  he   had. 


\VI 


IV 


le   reiiiai 


ked. 


weak  man  or  a  coward  could  kill  his  (uieiiiy  or  aiiyo.ie  who  had  done  him 
ail  injury;  hut  it  takes  a  man  of  a  strong  heart  !<»  kill  a  friend  or  one  who 
has  always  treat(»d  him  kindly."     This  is  a  specimen  ol    Apache  ^^asollin^^ 


111, 


;;i  I 


P 


lit 


tr. 

1       . 

1 

1 

, 

•♦■ 

t 

1 

1  ■ 

) 

n 

■i 

V 

•J 

M 

1      : 

i 
|i 

i;  i 

i 

ill 

„t;i 


II 


!'|   IH' 


i'll? 


'  ii 

■  ill 


446 


rEKSONAI.  KKXJOIJ.KCTIONS  Op' 


At  another  time  during'  Iiidiaii  hostilities  lie  captiiredan  unfortunate  white 
man  and  buried  him,  all  hut  his  head,  in  elose  proximity  to  a  lar^^e  l)laek 
ant  hill  such  as  are  found    in  that  country,  sometimes  two  feet  high  and 

from  one  to  three  f(>et 
in  diameter.  The  un- 
happy victim  lived  ioi- 
two  days,  suiTering  the 
most  exci'uciating  tor- 
ture while  the  ants 
slowly  ate  a  way  the  tlesh 
from  his  head. 

Another  incident 
showing  the  heartless- 
ness  of  this  people  was 
related  to  me  by  one 
personally  cognizant  of 
the  facts,  and  of  un- 
doubted trustworthi- 
ness. A  renegade,  or 
outlaw  Indian,  had  com- 
mitted several  murders 
and  was  wanted  to  an- 
swer for  his  numerous 
crimes,  Imt  the  official  at  the  agency  had  found  it  im[)ossible  to  arrest  him. 
as  he  rarely  appeared  there,  and  kept  himseil  concealftd  in  some  safe  moun- 
tain retreat.  Seeing  no  other  way  of  securing  the  *,riminal  the  otKcer  in 
charge  called  up  a  dissolute  Indian,  a  cousin  of  the  outlaw. and  told  him  that 
if  he  would  go  out  into  the  mountains  and  bring  in  the  culprit  alive,  or  if 
that  was  imi)ossible,  a  proof  of  his  death,  he  would  give  him  a  certain  horse, 
wdiich  was  i)ointed  out  to  him.  One  morning  not  long  afterward,  the  officer 
was  in  his  ([uarters  seated  at  the  breakfast  table,  when  this  Indian  appealed 
before  him  carrying  a  sack  over  his  shoulder.  ITe  advanced  to  where  the 
officer  was  sitting  and  remarked  with  much  apparent  satisfaction  that  he 
had  come  for  the  horse,  at  the  same  time  shaking  tlie  head  of  his  relative 
from  the  sack  to  the  floor  at  the  officer's  feet;  and  the  Iiulian  received  his 
lat  gray  h.)rse. 

A  short  time  after  this,  as  the  officer  was  going  about  the  agency,  the 
same  Indian  motioned  to  him  to  come  round  the  corner  of  the  agency 
building  that  he  might  speak  to  him  in  private.     The  officer  naturally  not 


ArAciiK  ('i!ii:i/i'Y. 


I,     >' 


!l     < 


C;EXKir\L  NELSON   A,   .MII,KS. 


e  wliite 
V  l)lci(.'k 
iy;li  and 


l'(vt 


ho  iiii- 
lV(mI  iof 
•hVfi  the 
iiig  toi'- 
e  iiiits 
the  flesh 

•  i  d  e  n  t 
3artless- 
)ple  was 
by   one 
lizant  of 
of    mi- 
tworthi- 
^ade.  or 
bid  com - 
murders 
;d  to  an- 
umerous 
rest  him. 
Fe  moun- 
officer  in 
lim  that 
ve,  or  if 
in  horse, 
le  officer 
ippeared 
here  the 
that  he 
^  rehitive 
aved  liis 

eiicy.  the 
agency 
iraily  not 


447 


,   ■,-     /  .'■  /    ■' /)!■■/ h, ■/■!..,  ■■■//■■■.  Ii,y,w.,      ■'#/'.>/    V 


having  much  confidence  in  the  sense  of  honor  of  tliis  particular  savage, 
called  an  interi)reter  to  go  with  him.  lie  need  not  have  feared,  for  the 
Indian  merely  wished  to  say  that  if  the  otMcer  had  another  good  gray 
horse,  he  had  another  cousin  whose  head  he  could  bring  in  at  any  tinu\ 

The  instance  given  conveys  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  unique  character  of 
the  Indian  1  found  myself  called  upon 
to  subdue.     He  was,  l)esides,  pos- 
sessed of  resources  not  under  the 
control   of  the  white  man. 

He  required  noth- 
ing of  the  white  num 
to  support  life,  and 
wanted  only  his  weap- 
ons for  warfare.  The 
deserts  and  the  moun- 
tain fastnesses  were 
his  allies,  and  witli  his 
knowledge  of  tlie  en- 
tire country,  he  could 
find  in  the  rocks  tanks 
of  water  where  a  white 
man  would  die  of 
thirst.  Even  in  the 
desert  the  cactus  was 
us(mI  for  both  food  and 
drink,  nature  aiding 
him  where  she  was  fatal  to  the  white  man.  From  the  I'nited  States  these 
Indians  tied  to  the  most  inaccessij)le  mounUiins  of  Mexico,  and  not  till  the 
treaty  made  in  1SS2,  did  it  become  possible  for  our  troops  to  pursue  them 
into  that  country. 

As  previously  stated,  (Jeneral  Crook  had  been  trying  for  years  to  bring 
the  Apaches  to  terms  and  keep  them  under  control.  In  1SS:{  he  made 
an  expedition  into  .Mexico  which  resulted  in  the  return  of  the  Chii'icahuas 
and  Warm  Springs  Indians  under  (Jeroiiimo  and  Natchez  to  the  Ai)ache 
reservation. 

For  nearly  two  years  they  remaiinMl  (|iiiet.  when  tiring  of  peaceful  pur- 
suits, (Jeronimo,  Natchez,  ^langus  and  many  others,  in  May.  1SH5.  again 
went  on  the  warpath  and  fied  into  Mexico.  They  were  vigorously  [uir- 
sued  but  succeeded  in  eluding  the  trooi)s  and  commenc^ed  again  tluMr  work 


-=:i^\ 


(  1.  \im:m;    1 1  IS   i;i:\v  \  i:i 


li 


!  !    !■ 


''I 

If 


li    i 


I 


'f     '!: 


n.Vi  !   ^  ' 


Mill  «    3 


(J 


■/)  r 


lii 


:|i^!   I 


^i 


448 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


of  death  and  destruction  from  tlieir  base  in  the  Sierra  Madre  Mountains. 
Captain  Wirt  Davis,  Fourth  Cavalry  with  liis  troop  and  one  hundred  In- 
dian scouts,  pursued  them  and  surprised  their  camp  near  ^ivacori,  Mexico. 
Lieutenant   Hay,  Fourth  Cavah'y  (of  the   command),  with   seventy-eight 

scouts,  attacked  their  camp,  surprising  them, 
but  only  succeeded  in  capturing  their  camp 
outfit  and  killing  two  boys  and  a  woman. 
Captain  Crawford,  Third  Cavalry,  with  a  bat- 


talion  of  scouts  a)  so 
proceeded  to  Mexico 
in  pursuit,  and  his  scouts 
under  Chatto  encountered 
Chihuahua  in  the  Bavispe 
Mountains  and  captured 
fifteen  women.  An  ac- 
count of  this  cap:]iaign  is  given  by  Captain  Maus.  Captain  Borst  also 
commanded  a  siuii'r.v  e\i)eiliti<)n. 

Despite  constant  pt  i-iiit  thf^se  Indians  succeeded  in  crossing  back  into 
the  United  States,  i  nirder-int;  people,  and  destroying  property.  One  band. 
Josauie  with  tei  liUi    .  ros.^ed  info  the  Ciiited  States,  raided  the  Apache 


Ills    AcTHlNS    WkKK    ClKIOCS. 


I 


II 


i^t 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


449 


reservation,  killed  some  of  the  friendly  Indians  as  well  as  thirty-ei^ht  white 
people,  captured  about  two  hundred  head  of  stock,  and  returned  to  Mexico. 
This  expedition  occupied  only  four  weeks  and  the  Indians  traveled  a  dis- 
tance of  over  twelve  hundred  miles.  That  such  a  raid  was  possible  despite 
the  fact  that  in  addition  to  the  commands  already  n^Ciii^iwi^pd,  there  was  a 
large  force  of  regular  troops  in  the  Held  (forty-three  companies  of  infantry 
and  forty  troops  of  cavalry),  shows  the  energy  and  daring  of  these  Indians. 

The  necessity  of  following  and  constantly  harassing  them  being  evi- 
dent, two  expeditions  were  again  formed  to  go  in  pursuit.  One  consisted 
of  a  battalion  of  Indian  scouts  (one  hundred  aud  two  men)  and  a  troop 
of  cavalry  under  Captain  Wirt  Davis,  Fourth  Cavalry,  and  the  other  of  a 
battalion  of  Indian  scouts  (one  hundred  men)  under  Cai)tain  Crawford. 
Third  Cavalry.  The  first  battalion  (Davis)  was  composed  of  San  Carlos 
and  White  Mountain  Indians,  principally,  and  the  second  (Crawford)  was 
composed  of  (Jhiricahuas.  Warm  Springs  and  Wliite  Mountain  Apaches. 
The  Indians  of  the  battalion  were  largely  a  part  of  the  band  to  be  de- 
stroyed, and  in  every  respect  as  savage  and  as  able  as  they.  Captain  Davis 
operated  in  Chihuahua,  while  Captain  I'rawford  proceeded  with  his  com- 
mand into  Sonora.  Captain  Crawford  selected  the  people  composing  his 
command  on  account  of  the  fact  that  they  were  mountain  Indians  and 
knew  the  haunts  of  these  to  be  pursued,  being,  indeed,  a  i)art  of  their  bands. 
Many  doubted  the  wisdom  of  taking  these  men  alone  with  no  troops,  and 
predictions  of  treachery  were  freely  nuide,  but  still  officers  volunteered  tor 
the  duty.  Those  selected  were  Lieutenant  Marion  l\  Maus.  First  Infantry, 
and  Lieutenant  W.  E.  Shipp,  Tenth  Cavalry,  to  comnmnd  the  companies, 
while  Lieutenant  S.  L.  Faison.  First  Infantry,  was  the  adjutant,  ((uarter- 
master  and  commissary  officer,  and  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon  T.  13.  Da\is 
was  the  medical  officer.  The  scouts  were  selected  and  listed,  fifty  each,  by 
Lieutenants  Maus  and  Shipp.  thusformingthe  battalia     »f  one  h- jidred  men. 

The  history  of  this  expedition  into  j\Iexico,  its  Mjue  formation,  the 
almost  unparalleled  hardships  and  dangers  it  encoui''<'red,  the  tragic  death 
of  its  commander,  Captain  Emmet  Crawford,  and  t  ■  international  phase 
of  the  affair,  all  give  it  an  especial  interest,  and  will  follow  its  move- 
ments in  detail  from  the  time  the  command  left  .\pache  till  its  return  and 
muster  out  of  the  service  —  a  period  of  six  months.  This  account  is  best  given 
in  the  narrative  of  Captain  Marion  P.  Maus.  who  accompanied  (Japtain 
Crawford,  and  is  himself  one  of  the  most  exi)erienced  officers  in  the 
service.  His  account  illustrates  the  difficulties  to  l)e  overcome,  as  well 
as  the  fortitude  and  courage  of  our  officers  and  soldiers. 


■|f:      i 


m^^ 


■■ii ' 


I :  ^ 


til!  i' 


Ii" 


I  iM 


Js»aciU!£s-.vi. 


'-^T'''*'^rr'ir-T7ri'rr  •:'■'■ 


450 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTJONS  OF 


CHAPTER  XXXVT. 


H  'i 


li'^i 


■■.>f 


mM'i 


'.,{ 


A  Campaign  Against  the  Apaches.     (Captaik  Maus'  Narrative.] 

Bk(iin\in(1  <>i'  Tine  C.\Mi'Ai(ix  OF  1885  —  Crossinc;  Into  Mkvic-o — Mrtuoos  of  tiif  Indian  Scocts  — 
LriTT.i-:  M i:\ic AN 'I'owNs  and  Tiikih  Pkoim,!-; —  .Mkscai,  ani>  its  Usk  hy  Indians —  Kikst  N i:\vs  of 

TIIK  IIoSI'lI.KS — Hi;(!INNIN(i  OF  A  MoFNTAIN  MaKCII  ON  FoOT — AliANDoN  Fl)  CI  A.M  I'S  —  TlIK 
DlCVn.'s    liAC'KHONK — KlNI!IN(i    TIIK    lloSTII.KS  —  TlIIC    AtTAC'K  —  A    BaTTI.K     WITH 

Mk.mcan  Thooi's   That  Was  Koiciit  hy  Mistakio  —  C!ai'Tain  Chawfokd 

MoliTAI,I,Y  WolNDKD—  liATFK  AcTION  OFTIIK  -AIlOXICANS  —  Till;  IloME- 
WAKD  M  Alien  —  MlOSSFNdKK  FKOM  ((F  HON  I  Mo  —  A  ("oNFFKFNCF  — 

An  Indian  Thick  —  Dfatu  of  C-attain  C/Kawfohd — liiK- 
lAi,  AT  Naooki,   Mioxico — Unfhifndi.y    Disposi- 
tion oi'Tiii:  .Mfxu'ans — Akhivai,  in  ('  mtkd 
Stai'fs      Ti:uuiToin"  —  Rftihn      fou 
I'liF  Ilosrii.Fs  —  TiiF  Skjnai, — 
'I'm-;  KscAPF  anf;  Piksiit 

—  NksII.TS    ok  TIIK 
IVM'FDITION 

HE  following  sketch  grapliicully  illustrates  the  warfare  of 
times  of  peace,  and  the  duties  aiul  perils  of  the  American 
regular  soldier.  Such  narratives,  were  they  all  written, 
v.ould  constitute  much  of  the  history,  almost  to  date  of 
the  southwest.  The  narrative  has  an  added  value  in 
the  fact  that  it  is  the  story  of  personal  experiences. 

The  command,  fully  equipped  for  field  service,  left  Apache. 
Arizona,  on  Novemher  11,  18.S5,  for  Fort  Bowie.  Here  it  was  inspected  by 
Lieutenant-CJeneral  Sheridan  and  Brigadier-Ueneral  Crook,  and  with  words 
of  encourage fueiit  from  these  officers,  the  commard  started  south  by  way  of 
the  1  )ragoon  .^lountains,  endeavoring  to  find  the  trail  of  a  band  of  Indians  who 
were  returning  to  .Mexico  after  a  raid  into  the  Ihiited  States.  Thoroughly 
scouting  these  mountains  without  finding  the  trail  vve  went  on  to  the 
border  and  crossed  into  Mexico  twenty  miles  north  v/'  the  town  ot  Front- 
eras,  with  the  object  of  pursuing  the  renegades  to  their  haunts  in  southern 
Sonora.  We  believed  that  if  we  could  trace  this  band  we  could  find  the 
entire  hostile  camp  under  (leronimo  and  Natchez.  I  nder  instructions 
from  Captain  Crawford.  I  preceded  the  command  to  the  town  of  Fronteras 
to  notify  the  Presidente  of  the  town  of  our  approach,  of  our  object   in 


'  ;i. 


GENERAL  NKLSOX   A.   .MII,KS. 


451 


coming,  <and  to  ^Jiin  infornuition.  It  was  u  small  place,  coniposcMl  of  the 
usual  adobe  building's,  and  its  people  lived  in  a  constant  state  of  alarm  about 
the  movements  of  the  hostiles.  'J'he  command  arriving,  we  proceeded  to 
Nocarasi.  a  small  mining   town 


in  the  Madre  Mountains,  On 
account  of  the  roughness  of  these 
mountains  we  found  great  diiti- 
culty  i".  crossing  them  with  the 
pack-train.  We  found  one  horse 
which  had  evidently  l)een  aban- 
doned l)y  the  hostiles,  but  no  dis- 
tinct trail. 

In  nuirching  the  ccmnnand  it 
was  interesting  to  notice  the 
methods  adopted  by  our  Indians 
in  scouting  the  country  to  gain 
information  and  prevent  sur[»rise. 
It  illustrated  to  us  very  clearly 
wdiat  we  must  ex[)ect  fi-om  the 
hostiles,  who  would  employ  the 
same  methods.  It  was  impos- 
sible to  march  these  scouts  as 
soldiers,  or  to  control  them  as 
such,  nor  was  it  deemed  advisa- 
ble to  attempt  it.  Anu)ng  them 
were  many  who  had  bloody  rec- 
ords; one  named  Dutchy  had 
killed,  in  cold  blood,  a  white 
man  near  Fort  Thomas,  and  for 
this  murder  the  civil  authorities  were  at  this  time  seeking  to  arrest 
him.  Their  system  of  advance  guards  and  Hankers  was  perfect, 
and  as  soon  as  time  cominand  went  into  camit.  outposts  were  at  once 
put  out,  guardiniti;'  every  approach.  All  this  was  tloiu*  noiselessly 
and  in  secret,  and  vrrliout  :ziving  a  single  order.  As  scouts  for  a  com- 
mand in  time  of  war  the}  would  be  ideal.  Small  of  stature,  and  ap- 
parently no  match  [»hysically  for  the  white  man.  yet  when  it  came  to 
climbing  mountains  or  nuiking  long  nuirches.  they  were  swift  and  tireless. 
The  little  clothing  they  wore  consisted  of  a  s(»ldier's  blouse,  discarded  in 
time  of  action,  light  undergarments  and  a  waist  cloth,  and  on  the  nuirch 


y  t 


ni 


!ii' 


iiii 


f '' ;   i 


lii? 


452 


PKIiSOXAF.  RKCOIJ-KCTIOXS  OF 


the  hlouso  was  often  turned  inside  out  to  show  only  the  ^my  lining. 
Nothing  esciiped  their  watcht'nl  eyes  as  they  marched  silently  in  their 
nioccasined  feet,  liy  day  small  tires  were  built  of  dry  wood  to  avoid 
smoke,  and  at  night  they  were  made  in  hidden  places  so  as  to  be  invisible. 
If  a  high  point  was  in  view,  you  could  be  sure  that  a  scout  had  crawled  to 
the  summit  and.  himself  unseen,  with  a  glass  or  his  keen  eyes  had  searched 
the  country  arouud.  At  night  only  was  the  watch  relaxed,  for  these 
savages  dread  the  night  with  a  sui)erstiti()us  fear.  It  was  necessary  to  allow 
them  their  way,  and  we  followed,  preserving  order  as  best  we  could  by 
exercising  tact  and  by  a  careful  study  of  their  habits.  Under  the  influence 
of  mescal,  which  is  a  licjuor  made  in  all  'parts  of  Mexico  and  easily  pro- 
cured, they  often  became  violent  and  troublesome  and  we  could  not  help 
realizing  how  perfectly  we  were  in  their  power.  However,  no  distrust  of 
them  \va^'  shown.  One  of  my  Indians,  i',  sergeant  named  llubie,  followed 
me  one  day  while  1  was  hunting.  I  thought  his  actions  were  curious,  but 
they  were  explained  when  he  suddenly  came  from  the  front  and  told  me 
to  go  back,  lie  had  seen  the  footprints  of  hostiles  near  by.  In  the  action 
which  ^"  'Vnved  later  became  to  me  and  warned  me  to  cover.  There  was, 
however,  \L-ry  little  evidence  of  affection  or  gratitude  in  them  as  a  class, 

Continuing  the  march,  we  reached  the  town  of  Iluasavas  in  the  valley 
of  the  Bavispe.  Orange  and  lemon  trees  were  tilled  with  golden  fruit, 
although  it  was  now  the  2'2d  of  December.  This  valley,  surrounded  by 
high  mountains,  was  fertile  though  but  little  cultivated.  The  only  vehicles 
in  use  were  cai'ts.  the  wheels  .>;  which  were  sections  sawed  from  logs.  The 
plows  were  pieces  of  pointed  vood.  The  people  were  devoid  of  all  the 
comforts  of  life.  Corn  tiour  was  obtained  by  pounding  the  grains  on 
stones.  They  were  a  most  desolate  people,  and  completely  terrorized  by 
the  Apaches,  who  were  a  constant  menace  to  them,  as  they  were  to  the 
inhabitants  of  all  these  towns.  Here  occurred  the  first  serious  trouble 
with  the  Indian  scouts.  One  of  them,  who  was  drunk  but  unarmed,  was 
shot  by  a  Mexican  policeman.  At  the  time  I  w^aa  on  my  way  to  the  town 
and  met  the  Indian,  who  was  running  down  the  road  toward  me,  followed 
by  two  policemen  or  guards  tiring  rapidly.  One  ball  passed  through  his 
face,  coming  out  through  the  jaw.  The  other  Indian  scouts  were  much 
incensed,  and  at  once  l)egan  to  prepare  for  an  attack  on  the  town,  giving 
us  much  trouble  before  we  w^ere  able  to  stop  them.  The  officers  were 
unal)le  to  sleep  that  night,  as  many  of  the  Indians  had  been  drinking  and 
continued  to  be  so  angry  that  they  tired  off  their  rifles  in  the  camp.  The 
next  day  I  released  (uie  of  them  from  prison,  and  subsequently  had  to  pay 


CiKNEIlAI-  NKLSON   A.   MILKS. 


i')'] 


ji  Hue  oi'  live  dollars  for  him.     It  was  claiiiKMl  by  tho  Mexicans  that  the 
Indians  had  coniinitt^^d  some  breach  of  the  [)eace. 

Here  we  ^ot  the  tirst  reliable  news  of  the  hostiles  who  were  mnrderinj^ 
people  and  killing  cattle  to  the  south,  ("rossin^j:  the  mountains  we  passed 
the  towns  of  (iranadas  and  liacedahuachi.  the  latter  beinji:  the  site  of  one 
of  the  line  old  missions  built  by  the  diii'iiijj:  i»riests  who  had  sought  to  plant 
their  religion  anu)ng  the  natives  many  yeai's  before. 

Proceeding  on  our  way  over  a  mountainous  country,  we  linally  came 
to  the  town  of  Nacori.  This  place  was  in  a  continual  state  of  alarm,  a 
wall  having  been  l)uilt  around  it  as  a  protection  against  the  Apaches,  the 
very  name  of  whom  was  a  terror.  From  our  cami).  sixteen  mil(^s  south  of 
this  town,  two  of  our  pack-trains  were  sent  back  to  Jiang's  Uanch.  New 
Mexico,  for  supplies.  To  our  suri)rise  a  deputy  United  States  marshal 
from  Tomb.stone  came  here  to  arrest  Dutchx.  Captain  Crawford  decliiuMl 
to  permit  the  arrest,  and  in  a  letter  to  the  marshal  (now  on  lile  in  the 
State  Department)  asked  him  to  "delay  the  arrest  till  I  may  be  near  the 
border  where  protection  for  myself,  officers  and  white  men,  with  my  pack- 
trains,  may  be  afforded  by  United  States  troops  other  than  Indians." 
offering  to  return  if  desired.  The  scouts  were  intensely  excited,  and  under 
the  circumstances  the  marshal  did  not  wish  fo  attempt  to  arrest  Dutchy, 
and  returned  without  delay. 

We  had  now  penetrated  over  two  hundred  miles  into  the  mountains  of 
Mexico,  and  we  were  sure  the  hostiles  were  n(>ar.  It  was  decided  to  move 
immediately  in  pursuit  of  them.  In  this  wild  and  unknown  land  even 
our  Indians  looked  more  stolid  and  serious.  One  by  one  they  gathered 
together  for  a  medicine  dance.  The  ]\Iedicine  Man.  Xoh-wah-zhe-tah. 
unrolled  the  sacred  buckskin  he  had  worn  since  he  left  Apache.  There 
was  something  very  solemn  in  all  this.  The  daiwe,  the  marching,  the 
kneeling  before  the  sacred  buckskin  as  each  pressed  his  lips  to  it  and  the 
old  man  blessed  him.  impressed  us  too,  as  we  looked  on  in  silence.  After- 
ward, the  Indians  held  a  council.  They  said  they  meant  to  do  theii'duty. 
and  would  prove  that  they  would  tight  to  those  who  .said  they  would  not. 
and  they  seemed  very  much  in  earnest.  1  ;im  satisHed  that  they  desired 
to  get  the  hostiles  to  surrender,  but  do  not  believe  they  intended  or  de- 
sired to  kill  them^ — their  own  people.  In  view  of  their  relations  it  was 
little  wonder  that  they  felt  in  this  way. 

It  was  decided  that  all  must  go  on  foot,  and  that  officer  and  scout 
alike  must  carry  his  own  blanket,  all  else  being  left  l)eliind.  Leaving  a 
few   scouts   (the   weakest   and   the   sick)   to   guard  the*  camp,  a  force  of 


i  .• 


!!     '■ 


h 


.H-Mi. 


^!1     ,' 


.  -n^JXJSjJi:;:  •aa-jea .  »*  aaisatj 


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mil  1 1 


f.    '    H 


464 


rKK'SONAI,   l{K('()M,K(TI()NS  OK 


^^-'^ 


'/•" 


wm:- 


spvonty-nino  was  ocuiippcd  u  itii  tvvolvo  days'  rations,  carru'd  on  threo  or 
four  of  tli(^  ton^duvst  ninles  host  suited  for  tlio  i)urpnso.  and  we  started 
forward.  We  marched  to  the  Haros  Kiver,  which  we  forded,  and  tlien 
ascending  the  higii  hills  beyond,  discovered  Hrst  ii  small  trail,  and  then  a 

large,   well-heaten    one.   evidently    that   of 
'  ■---                the  entire  hand  ot  hostiles.     The  trail  wtus 
-^ "         "                              about  six  (lavs  old.  and  as  we 
^^^  '                             passed  over  it.  here  and  there, 
'  fi^  I,,         ,               the   Ixnlies  of  dead  cattle,  only 
!#" , '^'^"^'S-^-  '^                   jiiii'tiiilly  used,  were  found, 
"'     -— '    -  "T^,     ''^'           The    hostiles   had    but    a 
-'-"     ^?-' r!: -""  '-%         short  time  pre- 

viously moved 
their  camp 
from  the  junc- 
tion of  t  h  e 
II  ar  OS  a  nd 
YiKpii  Rivers  a 
few  miles  to 
the  west,  and 
were  going  to 
the  east  to  the 
fastnesses  of 
some  extremely 
rugged  moun- 
tains :  the  A'.s- 
(t  del  D'mhlo,  or  the 
I's  Backbone — a  most 
opriate  name,  as  the 
ntry  was  broken  and 
h  beyond  description. 
The  march  was  now  con- 
ducted mostly  by  night. 
We  suffered  much  from 
the  cold,  and  the  one  blanket  to  each  man  used  wdien  we  slept  was 
scanty  covering.  Often  it  was  impossible  to  sleep  at  all.  At  times  we 
made  our  colt'ee  and  cooked  our  food  in  the  daytime,  choosing  points 
where  the  light  could  not  l»e  seen,  and  using  dry  WT)od  to  avoid  smoke. 
Our  moccasins  were  thin  and  the  rocks  were  hard  on    the  feet.     Shoes 


Ckdssino  Till-:  IIaho.s  Ixivkk. 


\h 


(iKNKKAL   NKI.SON    A.   MII.KS. 


4")r) 


had  IxMMi  iilnuidoiuMl,  as  tlio  noise  iiumIc  Ity  tlu'iii  could  ho  heard  a  loiij; 
distuiit'c.  ThfMidvaiKT  scouts  kept  far  ahead.  Scvcr-il  ahaiKhnu'd  camps 
of  the  hostile^  \ver<>  found,  the  selection  of  which  showed  their  constant 
care.  They  were  phiced  on  lii^Mi  points.  t(»  which  the  hostiles  ascench'd  in 
such  away  that  it  was  ini[)os  for  them  to  he  seen;  while  in  descending', 

any  pursuinj^'  l>i>rty  would  have  to  appear  in  full  view  of  the  lookout  they 
always  kept  in  the  rear.  Tlie  lahor  of  the  Indian  women  in  ln'in<j;in{^'  tlu^ 
water  and  wood  to  these  points  was  no  apparent  ohjection. 

Crossing  the  llaros  Ifiver  the  trail  led  direct  to  the  Devil's  back- 
bone, situated  between  tlie  llaros  and  Satachi  KiNcrs.  'Vho  dilliculticvs  of 
mandiing  over  a  country  like  this  by  ni^dit.  where  it  was  niM'es.sary  to 
climb  over  rocks  and  to  descend  into  d(>ep  and  dai*k  canons,  can  hardly  be 
imagined.  WIkmi  we  halted,  w  hi(di  was  sometimes  not  until  midnight,  we 
were  sore  and  tiied.  We  could  never  move  until  late  in  tlu^  day,  as  it  was 
necessary  to  examine  the  country  a  long  distance  aliead  before  we  startcul. 
No  human  l)eing  seemed  evei'  to  have  l>een  hei'e.  |)(mm'  were  plentiful,  but 
we  could  not  shoot  them.  Once  I  saw  a  leopard  that  bounded  away  with 
a  shriek.  It  was  s})()tted  and  seemed  as  large  as  a  tiger.  At  last,  after  a 
weary  march,  at  sunset  on  the  Utli  of  .huniary.  l.SS(».  No(du>,  (»ui-  Indian 
sergeant-major  and  guide,  sent  word  that  the  hostile  cami)  was  located 
twelve  miles  away. 

The  command  w^as  halted,  and  as  the  hostiles  were  reported  caini)ed 
on  a  high  point,  well  protected  and  apparently  showing  gnat  caution  on 
their  part,  it  was  decided  to  make  a  night  mai-ch  aiul  attack  them  at  day- 
light. A  short  halt  of  al)out  twenty  minutcvs  was  made.  We  did  not 
kindle  a  fire,  and  about  the  only  food  w^e  had  was  s  )me  hard  bread  and 
some  raw  bacon.  The  medical  otHcer.  Dr.  Davis,  was  worn  out,  and  the 
interpreter  also  unfortunately  could  go  no  further.  We  had  already 
marched  continuously  for  about  six  hours  and  w^ere  vei}  much  wM)rn  out 
and  footsore,  even  the  scouts  showing  the  fatigue  of  the  hard  servi(re. 
These  night  mandies,  when  we  followed  a  trail  pui'posely  iUade  over  the 
worst  country  possible,  and  crossing  and  recrossing  the  tuibulent  river, 
which  we  had  to  ford,  were  very  trying.  But  the  news  of  the  camp  being 
so  close  at  hand  gave  us  new  strength  and  hoi)e,  and  we  hastened  on  to 
coverthe  ten  or  twelve  miles  between  us  and  the  hostiles.  I  cannot  easily  for- 
get that  night's  march.  All  nightlong  we  toiled  on,  feeling  our  way.  It  was 
a  dark  and  moonless  night.  For  much  of  tlie  distance  the  way  led  over 
solid  rock,  over  mountains,  down  canon,  so  dai'k  ihey  seemed  bottomless. 
It  was  a  wonder  the  scouts  could  Hud  the  trail.     Sometimes  the  descent 


1| 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSO 

(716)«72-4503 


456 


PEKSONAL  KECOIJ.ECTKXNS  OK 


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became  so  steep  that  we  could  not  go  forward,  but  would  have  to  wearily 
climb  back  and  find  another  way.  I  marched  by  poor  Captain  Crawford, 
who  was  badly  worn  out;  often  he  stopped  and  leaned  heavily  on  his  rifle 
for  support,  and  again  he  used  it  for  a  cane  to  assist  him.  He  had,  how- 
ever, an  unconquerable  will,  and  kept  slowly  on.  At  last,  when  it  was 
nearly  daylight,  we  could  see  in  the  distance  the  dim  outlines  of  the  rocky 
position  occui)ied  by  the  hostiles.  I  had  a  strong  feeling  of  relief,  for  I 
certainly  was  very  tired.  We  had  marched  continuously  eighteen  hours 
over  a  country  so  difiicult  that  when  we  reached  their  camp  Geronimo 
said  he  felt  that  he  had  no  longer  a  place  where  the  white  man  would 
not  pursue  him. 

The  command  was  now  (piickly  disposed  for  an  attack,  our  first  object 
being  to  surround  the  hostile  camp.  I  was  sent  around  to  the  further 
side.  Noiselessly,  scarcely  breathing,  we  crept  along.  It  was  still  dark. 
It  seemed  strange  to  be  going  to  attack  these  Indians  with  a  force  of  their 
own  kindred  who  but  a  short  time  before  had  been  equally  as  criminal.  I 
had  nearly  reached  the  further  side,  intending  to  cut  off  the  retreat,  when 
the  l)raying  of  some  l)urros  was  heard.  These  watch  dogs  of  an  Indian 
camp  are  better  than  were  the  geese  of  Rome.  I  hurried  along.  The  faint 
light  of  the  morning  was  just  breaking,  and  I  held  my  breath  for  fear  the 
alarm  would  be  given,  when  all  at  once  the  flames  bursting  from  the  rifles 
of  some  of  the  hostiles  who  had  gone  to  investigate  the  cause  of  the  bray- 
ing of  the  burros,  and  the  echoing  and  reechoing  of  the  rifle  reports 
through  the  mountains,  told  me  that  the  camp  was  in  arms.  Dim  forms 
could  be  seen  rapidly  descending  the  mountain  sides  and  disappearing  be- 
low. A  large  numl)er  came  my  way  within  easy  range, —  less  than  two 
hundred  yards.  We  fired  many  shots  but  I  saw  no  one  fall.  One  Indian 
attempted  to  ride  by  me  on  a  horse;  I  fired  twice  at  him,  when  he  aband- 
oned the  horse  and  disappeared;  the  horse  was  shot,  but  I  never  knew  what 
became  of  the  Indian.  We  pursued  for  a  time,  but  as  few  of  our  Indian 
scouts  could  have  gone  farther,  we  had  to  give  up  the  pursuit.  The 
hostiles,  like  so  many  quail,  had  disappeared  among  the  rocks.  One 
by  one  our  scouts  returned.  We  had  captured  the  entire  herd,  all 
the  camp  effects  and  what  little  food  they  had,  consisting  of  some 
mescal,  some  fresh  pony  meat,  a  small  part  of  a  deer  and  a  little  dried 
meat,  which  the  scouts  seized  and  began  to  devour.  I  had  no  desire  for 
food.  Ev^ry  one  was  worn  out  and  it  was  cold  and  damp.  In  a  little 
while  an  Indian  woman  came  in  and  said  that  (Jeronimo  and  Natchez 
desired  to  talk.    She  begged  food,  and  left  us  bearing  word  that  Captain 


''  ! 


GKNKUAL  NKI.SOX  A.  MILKS. 


457 


wearily 
aw  lord, 
his  ritie 
d,  liow- 
[  it  was 
le  rocky 
3f,  for  I 
n  hours 
jronimo 
(1  would 

t  object 
further 
11  dark, 
of  their 
linal.  I 
,t,  when 
I  Indian 
he  faint 
Fear  the 
lie  rifles 
le  bray- 
reports 
n  forms 
ring  be- 
an two 
Indian 
aband- 
iw  what 
'  Indian 
t.  The 
s.  One 
erd,  all 
f  some 
le  dried 
sire  for 
a  little 
!^atchez 
Captain 


Crawford  would  see  the  chiefs  next  day.  The  conference  was  to  be  held 
about  a  mile  away  on  the  river  below  our  position,  and  he  desired  me  to 
be  present.  What  would  have  been  the  result  of  this  conference  will 
never  l)e  known  on  account  of  the  unfortunate  attack  of  the  Mexicans 
next  day.     It  was  fortunate  that  we  occupied  the  strong 

position  of  the  hostile  camp.    Our  packs  as  well  as  the  ,yc^^-  W'^^' 

doctor  and  interi)reter  had  been  sent  for.  but  unfortu- 
nately they  did  not 
We  built  fires 
and  tried  to  ob- 
tain a  little  rest, 
but  1  could  not 
sleep  on  account 
of  the  intense 
cold.  and.  besides, 
we  had  been  with- 
out food  for  many 
hours ;  in  fact,  wc 
had  not  partaken 
of  cooked  food  for 
days.  With  the 
contniual  march- 
ing day  and  night 
no  wonder  our  In- 
dians were  tired 
out  and  now  threw 
themselves  among 
the  rocks  to  sleep, 
failing  to  main- 
tain their  usual  v 
ance.  We  had  no 
of  an  attack.  At  di 
next  morning  the  camp  was 
aroused    by   loud    cries    from 

some  of  our  scouts.  Lieutenant  Shipp  and  I.  with  a  white  man 
named  Horn  enijtloyed  as  chief-of-scouts  for  my  companies,  ran  for- 
ward to  ascertain  the  cause  of  alarm.  We  thought  at  first  thai 
the  disturbance  must  have  been  occasioned  by  the  scouts  of  Caji- 
tain  Wirt  Davis.    A  heavy  fog  hung  over  the  mountains,  nuiking  the 


()m;  Imhw  AtikmitkI)  m  iJini:  \\\  Mi:. 


i:! 


408 


TEKSOXAL  IJHX'OLLPXTIONS  OF 


niorninj^  light  very  faint.  But  by  ascending  the  rocks  we  could  see 
the  outlines  of  dusky  forms  moving  in  the  distance,  Tlien  all  at  once 
there  was  a  crash  of  musketry  and  the  flames  from  many  riHes  lighted 
up  the  scene.  In  that  discharge  three  of  our  scouts  were  wounded,  one  very 
badlj, ,  and  we  quickly  sought  cover.  The  thought  that  it  was  our  own  friends 
who  were  attacking  us  was  agonizing  and  we  had  not  the  heart  to  retaliate, 
but  the  scouts  kei)t  up  a  desultory  fire  until  Captain  Crawford,  whom  we 
had  left  lying  by  the  camp  fire,  shouted  to  us  to  stop,  in  about  fifteen 
minutes  the  firing  (teased  and  it  now  became  known  that  the  attacking 
party  were  Mexii^ans.  a  detai'hment  of  whom,  about  thirteen,  were  seen 
ap[)roaching,  four  of  them  coming  toward  the  rocks  where  we  were.  As  I 
spoke  Spanish,  I  advanced  about  fifty  or  seventy-five  yards  to  meet  them 
and  was  followed  by  Captain  Crawford.  I  told  them  who  we  were  and  of 
our  fight  with  the  hostiles,  that  we  had  just  captured  their  camp,  etc. 
(Japtain  (Jrawford.  who  did  not  si)eak  Spanish,  now  asked  if  I  had  explained 
all  to  them.  I  told  him  I  had.  At  this  time  we  were  all  standing  within 
a  few  feet  of  each  other. 

The  oflicer  commanding  the  Mexicans  was  Major  Corredor,  a  tall, 
powerful  man  over  six  feet  high,  and  he  acted  as  spokesman  Looking  to 
the  rocks  we  could  see  the  heads  of  numy  of  our  Indian  scouts  with  their 
rifles  ready,  and  could  hear  the  sharp  snap  of  the  breechblocks  as  the 
cartridges  were  inserted.  I  can  well  recall  the  exi)ression  on  the  faces  of 
these  Mexicans,  for  they  thought  our  scouts  were  going  to  fire ;  indeed  I 
thought  so  myself  At  the  same  time  I  noticed  a  party  of  Mexicans  march- 
ing in  a  low  ravine  toward  a  high  point  whi(;h  commanded  and  enfiladed 
our  position,  al)out  four  hundred  yards  distant.  1  called  Captain  Crawford's 
attention  to  this  as  well  as  to  the  aspect  of  our  own  scouts.  He  said,  "For 
God's  sake,  don't  let  them  tire!"  Major  Corredor  also  said.  " A o ///y/.s; " 
—  Don't  Are.  I  said  to  him,  "No,"  and  told  him  not  to  let  his  men  fire. 
I  then  turned  toward  the  scouts  saying  in  Spanish  ''Don't  fire,"  holding  my 
hand  toward  them.  They  nearly  all  understood  Spanish  while  they  did 
not  speak  it.  I  had  taken  a  few  steps  forward  to  rarry  out  the  Captain's 
instructions,  when  one  shot  rang  out  distinct  and  alone  ;  the  echoes  were 
such  that  I  could  not  tell  where  it  came  from,  but  it  sounded  like  a  death 
knell  and  was  followed  by  volleys  from  both  sides.  As  we  all  sought  cover, 
I  looked  back  just  in  time  to  see  the  tall  Mexican  throw  down  his  rifle 
and  fall,  shot  through  the  heart.  Another  Mexican,  Lieutenant  Juan  de 
La  Cruz,  fell  as  he  ran,  pierced  by  thirteen  bullets.  The  other  two  ran 
behind  a  small  oak,  but  it  was  nearly  cut  down  by  bullets  and  they  were 


(iKNKlJAL  NKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


45t) 


both  killed.  About  nine  or  ten  others  who  were  in  view  rapidly  ^ot  elose 
to  the  ^'round  or  in  iiollows  behind  rock.s,  which  alone  .saved  them  as  they 
were  near,  and  formed  a  portion  of  the  i)ai'ty  that  advanced.  I'pon  reach- 
ing the  rocks  whe?e  I  had  .soijf^ht  shelter.  I  found  C'aptain  Crawford  lyinf^ 
with  his  JHjad  pierced  by  a  ball.  His  brain  was  runninf<  down  his  face  and 
.some  of  it  lay  on  the  rocks.  He  mu.st  have  been  shot  just  as  he  reached 
and  mounted  the  rocks.  Over  his  face  lay  a  red  handkerchief  at  whi<'h  his 
hand  clutched  in  a  spasmodic  way.  Dntchy  stood  near  him.  I  thouj;ht 
him  dead,  and  sick  at  heart  I  ^ave  my  attention  to  the  .serious  conditions 
existinj^.  The  fall  of  (.'aptain  Crawford  was  a  sad  and  unfortunate  event, 
greatly  to  be  dei>lored,  and  cast  a  ^loom  over  us  which  we  could  not 
shake  off. 

Being  next  in  command,  I  hastened  to  .send  scouts  to  prevent  the  attack 
attempted  on  our  right  tibove  referred  to.and  after  an  interval  of  about  two 
hours  the  Mexicans  were  driven  entirely  away  and  the  firing  gradually 
ceased.  They  now  occupied  a  strong  line  of  hills,  with  excellent  sludter, 
were  double  our  .strength,  and  were  armed  with  calibre  44  {Remington 
rifles,  which  carried  a  cart ri(lg<'  similar  to  our  own.  Our  c(»nimand  wan 
without  rations  and  nearly  without  ammunition,  the  one  beltful  supplied 
to  each  scout  having  in  many  cases  been  entirely  exhausted  in  the  two 
tights.  It  was  true  that  many  of  them  had  extra  rounds,  but  1  estimated 
that  between  four  and   five  thousand  rounds  had  been  lireciand  that  some 


of  the  men 


had 


none  l( 


■ft. 


The  Mexicans  now  called  to  us  saying  they  would  like  to  talk,  but  they 
were  too  cautious  to  advance.  When  .Mr.  Morn  and  1  went  forward,  to 
talk  to  them.  thre(M)rfour  advanced  to  meet  us  about  one  liundretl  and 
fifty  yards  from  our  position.  1'lie  brother  of  the  li<'utenant  who  had  been 
killed  was  crying  bitterly,  and  the  whole  party  seemed  a  most  forlorn 
company  of  men,  and  sincere  in  saying  that  they  thought  we  were 
tlif?  hostiles.  All  their  oflicers  were  killerl.  and  I  believe  othei's  be- 
sides, but  how  many  vv<'  never  knew,  'i'he  fuct  that  our  cojnmand  was 
composed  almost  entirely  of  Indians  was  a  most  unfortunate  one.  With 
regular  .soldiers  all  would  have  been  clear.  Our  position  at  this  time,  con- 
fronted as  we  were  by  a  hostile  .Mexican  force,  while  behind  us  was  the  en- 
tire hostile  band  of  Indians  evidently  enjoying  the  situation,  is  prob.ibly 
unparalleled.  We  had  scarcely  any  ammunition,  no  food,  and  ou*  supplies 
were  with  the  pack-train  almost  unprotected  —  no  oncknew  where  —  while 
we  were  many  days' march  from  our  own  country  which  could  only  be 
reached  through  a  territcn-y  hostile  to  our  Indians.     The  governor  of  Sonora 

M.-27 


Ml 


I 


■    S\ 


m 


t 


ii 

ii 

n 

It 

1 

• 

I 

1 

\ 

M;;, 


I.f- 


^1 
I 


^m 


i* 


t(;o 


I'KI.'SONAI.   l.'KCOM.KC'riONS  OK 


liiid  iiiiKJc  x-rioiis  rliait/<'.s  ji^Minst  the  liMliiiiis  tor  <l«'|in''liit ions  conimitli-d 
DM  tlic  iMar«'li  down,  ami  Ix'sidi's.  llicij;  was  a  l)itt«'r  l'«'('liii;.M'\is*  iiij;  caiis^'d  liv 
this  lij/lit.  It'  tJM^  M«'xi('aii.s  liad  atta('l<('(|  ns  in  tlic  rcai.  wIkt*'  wc  wcvc  on- 
tii'(dy  nnprotcctfMl,  onr  position  would  liavc  lic«>n  itnti'naldc.  Had  snrji  an 
attacl<  lu'CM  Miad<!  tJM'  result  \\(»Nld  |»fol»alily  lia\('  lnwi]  tin*  srat- 
t«'i-in^  of  onr  ('(dninand  in  the  mountains,  our  <  hiricalinas  joining' tlic 
host  ilcs. 

It  looked  very  seri«)us.  and  my  future  course  was  ^'overned  hy  the  ron- 
dition.  If  it  were  |)ossil)le  I  uas  hound  to  protect  the  li\es(d'  the  white 
men  of  the  command,  tlu;  |iack-train.  and  our  Indian  scouts.  Lieutenant 
Shipp  and  I  wen;  in  accord,  he  appr(!ciat  in^' as  I  did  onr  des|ierate  jmsition. 
'I'Ik;  first  attack  had  heen  a  mistake,  and  thes<;cond  had  heen  hron^ht  on 
hefor<!  the  .M<\\icans  could  know  what  had  heen  said  to  their  oflicers  who 
had  heen  killed.  Tin;  Mexicans  deplored  the  atTair  and  seemed  sincere 
I  felt  a  pity  for  tluaji.  They  asked  me  to  {^o  with  them  wliih;  they  <'nrri(!d 
their  dead  away.  A  small  detail  took  the  hodies  one  i»y  one  to  their  lines, 
and  I  went  with(!ach  hody.  They  then  asked  me  to  send  our  doctor  to 
care  for  their  woundeci,  and  to  loan  them  enon^rli  of  the  capture<l  stock 
fo  carry  their  wounded  hack.  I  airi'eed  to  <lo  this,  hut  could  {/ivetliem  no 
food,  which  they  also  asked.  Late  in  the  day  the  (hn'tor  arrived,  and  aftej- 
he  ha.d  attende*!  to  our  woun<led  I  sent  him  to  l<»(»k  after  theirs,  some  <»f 
whom  were  in  a  danj/e»-ous  way.      He  atten<led  li\c  of  them. 

The  next  day  I  decided  to  move  on.  as  the-  sur^'eon  said  thai  tin;  death 
of  Captain  <  "rawford  was  a,  matter  of  hut  ii  little  time,  and  our  ccjndition 
made  it  nfM*e.ssary  for  us  to  try  and  reach  our  pack-train  for  supplies  and 
ammunition.  I  was  afraid  that  the  .Mexi<'ans  mi|_dit  take  onr  pa<'k-t rain, 
as  it  had  hut  a  poor  escort  of  t  he  w(^a.k  and  sick.  Hesides,  most  of  tln^ 
pai'kers  had  h<'en  armed  with  calihre  .')()  carhines  (Sharps),  while  they  had 
heen  supplied  with  calihrj;  Ii)  ammunit  ion.  I  was  in  ho|»es  that  when  away 
fr«tm  tli(f  .Mexicans  I  mi^dif  succeed  in  elTectin^  a,  conference  with  the 
hostile  chiefs,  and  p(»ssihly  a  surrender*.  This  c<)nld  not  he  done  while  the 
Mexicans  were  near,  and  they  would  not  niov(!  hefoic  we  did,  as  they  said 
they  wen;  afraid  they  mij/ht  he  attacked  hy  the  scouts  In  ord«'r  to  nio\e 
('}i[)faiM  Crawford.  I  had  t,o  make  a,  littfu"  and  I'ave  him  <-arried  hy  hand. 
As  there,  was  no  wood  in  the  country  I  sent  to  t he  ri\«M' and  ^'ot  canes, 
which  we  hound  ioj^ether  to  make  tlu!  side  rails,  nsin;i  a  piece  of  can\as 
for  the  hed 

While  husy  at  tending!  to  the  makinji  of  this,  I  liear(J  sonieouf^  caiiin;.'. 
and  ^'oin^  out  a.  short   distance,  saw  ('(nicepcion.  the  interpreter,  staiifJin^ 


<'<uiiiiiittc(l 

1^  cinis^d  l»y 

M'  Wt'VC  cii- 

liid  such  iiii 

tlu'     <rii\- 

joiiiiiij.'  tlu' 

Itv  tin-  roii- 
ff  the  u  liilji 

liiciitciiiiiit 
itc  |i(»it  ion. 

hroNj^lit  on 
olliccrs  who 
M'«|  sinccH' 
th<'v  ciirrifid 
)  their  lines, 
ir  doctor  to 
it  lire* I  stock 
ive  them  no 
'd.  iind  alter 
irs.  some  ol" 

It  t li(!  death 
ir  condition 
n|i|)lies  and 

pack-train, 
most  ol"  til*! 
ile  they  ha<l 

when  away 
ce  with  til*! 
le  while  the 
as  they  said 
(ler  to  move 
ied  Ity  hand, 
d  </ot  canes, 
ce  of  can\as 

'oiie  caliiii;/. 
er,  standing' 


GERONIMO. 


«6l; 


I' 

'pi 

ill': 


i   •    i 


ij     '*: 


} 


'll* 


'  ; 


/i/!.ilt 


GENERAL  NEI-SON  A.  MIIES. 


463 


with  some  Mexicans  about  two  hundred  yards  away.  He  l)eci<()ned  to  me 
and  I  went  forward  to  talk  to  the  men,  as  I  was  tiie  only  one  wi:o  could 
speak  Spanish,  Horn  being  wounded.  1  had  sent  Toncepcion  to  drive  back 
some  of  the  captured  Indian  stock  which  had  wandered  off  during  the 
tight.  As  I  advanced  toward  the  Mexi(tans  they  saluted  me  very  cour- 
teously, and  in  a  friendly  way  said  that  before  they  left  they  wanted  to 
have  a  talk.  It  was  raining  and  they  asked  me  to  step  under  a  sheltering 
rock  near  by  ;  this  was  the  very  point  from  whi<*h  they  had  Hrst  fired.  On 
stepping  under  the  rock,  I  found  myself  confronted  with  about  fifty 
Mexicans,  all  armed  with  Remington  rifies,  and  a  hard  looking  lot.  I 
would  here  state  that  I  had  sent  them,  according  to  my  promise,  six  of  the 
captured  Indian  horses,  which,  however,  they  had  not  received,  as  they 
said  the  horses  were  no  good,  being  wounded  and  worn  out  ;  but  of  this  I 
did  not  know  at  the  time.  Old  Concepcion  was  detained  by  them.  He 
was  a  Mexican  who  had  l)een  stolen  l)y  the  Apaches  when  a  boy,  and  was 
employed  as  an  interpreter,  as  he  knew  the  Apache  language. 

The  manner  of  the  Mexicans  when  they  found  me  in  their  power  had 
undergone  a  marked  change.  They  became  insolent,  stating  that  we  had 
killed  their  officers  and  that  we  were  marauders  and  had  no  authority  in 
their  country.  They  demanded  my  papers.  1  explained  that  there  was  a 
treaty  between  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  but  that  1  had  no  papers,  as 
Captain  Crawford  had  left  all  our  baggage  with  the  pack-train.  Their 
language  was  insolent  and  threatening.  I  now  appreciated  my  position 
and  realized  that  the  consequence  of  my  being  away  from  the  command 
with  the  interpreter  was  that  there  was  no  one  with  the  scouts  who  could 
make  himself  understood  by  them.  The  Mexicans  stated  that  I  had 
promised  them  animals  to  take  back  their  w^ounded,  and  had  not  furnished 
them,  as  those  I  had  sent  were  worthless.  I  told  them  1  w^ould  send  them 
other  animals  on  my  return,  and  started  to  go,  when  they  surrounded  me, 
saying  that  I  must  remain  until  1  had  sent  the  mules. 

By  this  time  our  Indians  were  yelling  and  preparing  to  fight.  A  few 
shots  would  have  precipitated  matters.  The  Mexicans  called  my  attention 
to  the  action  of  my  scouts,  and  I  told  them  that  the  Indians  evidently 
feared  treachery  and  that  I  could  not  control  them  while  away.  They 
then  said  I  could  go  if  I  would  send  them  six  mules,  after  which  they 
would  leave  the  country.  This  I  promised  I  would  do,  but  they  would  not 
trust  my  word  of  honor  and  held  old  Concepcion  a  prisoner  till  I  sent  them 
the  mules.  I  demanded  a  receipt,  which  they  gave,  and  afterward  Mexico 
paid  our  government  the  full  value  of  the  animals. 


Hi  C 


4«4 


I'KKSONAL  IfKCOLI.KCTIONS  OK 


ffi 


It  WHS  HOW  too  hitt'  in  the  day  to  iiiovo,  l)nt  the  next  morning'  I  pro- 
<!eo(le(l  on  tlio  lioinewsinl  maivh,  carryiiij;  Captain  Crawford  by  hand.  Tlic 
Indians,  always  snperstitions,  did  not  want  to  liol[).  but  wero  ptM-suaded, 
liiontcMumt  Shi[)p  and  I  also  assisting;.  To  add  to  tho  ditlicnity,  it  was  tlie 
rainy  season  and  the  steep  mountain  sides  were  climbed  most  laboriously. 

it  would    be  ditiicult  to  describe  this  march. 
With  great  effort,  the  tirst  day  we  only  made 
two  or  three  miles.  The  wounded  Indian 
was  placed  on  a   pony,   and   although 


"! 


Oi'R  Indians  Wkkk  YKM,iX(i  ani>  Pkki-akinc  to  Fkjiit. 

badly  hurt,  seemed  to  get  along  very  well.    The  two  other  wounded  scouts 
and  Mr.  Horn  were  so  slightly  injured  that  they  moved  with  no  trouble. 

An  Indian  woman  came  into  camp  that  night  and  said  that  (ieronimo 
wanted  to  talk.  1  concluded  to  meet  him,  and  the  next  morning,  after 
moving  about  two  miles,  I  left  the  command  and  went  with  the  interpre- 


tJKNKIJAL  NKI.SON   A.   MILES. 


465 


ter.  Mr.  Horn,  und  Hve  scouts,  to  a  point  jil)ont  a  mile  or  so  (Hstaiit.  Wo 
went  vvitliout  arms  as  this  was  expressly  stipulated  l»y  (MM'ouimo  as  a  con- 
dition. The  chiefs  did  not  appear,  hut  I  had  a  talk  with  two  of  the  men. 
who  promised  that  the  chiefs  would  meet  me  the  next  day,  Thoy  said  I 
must  come  without  arms.  The  next  day  1  went  to  meet  them  and  found 
(ieronimo,  Natchez,  Nana  and  Chihuahua  with  fourteen  nuui.  They  came 
fully  armed  wit  i  their  belts  full  of  ammunition,  and  as  I  had  c(une 
umirmed  accordinjjj  to  a^'reement,  this  was  a  hreach  of  faith  and  I  did  not 
think  it  argued  well  for  tiieir  c<uiduct.  Apparently  suspicious  of  trea<*h- 
ery,  every  man  of  them  sat  with  his  ritle  in  an  uprij;ht  position,  tormin^'  a 
circle  nearly  around  me  with  (leroninio  in  the  (renter.  He  sat  there  for 
fully  a  minute  looking  me  straight  in  the  ey<»s  and  finally  said  to  me: 

'"Why  did  you  ccune  down  here.'" 

"I  came  to  capture  or  destroy  you  and  your  hand,"  1  answered. 

He  knew  perfectly  well  that  this  was  the  (uily  answer  I  could  truth- 
fully make.  He  then  arose,  walked  to  me  and  shook  my  han«l,  sayinj;  that 
he  could  trust  me.  and  then  asked  me  to  report  to  the  department  com- 
nuinder  what  he  had  to  say.  He  enunierat<Ml  his  ^rievanires  at  the 
a*?ency,  all  of  which  were  purely  imaginary  or  assimuHl.  I  advis(Hl  him  to 
surrender  and  told  him  if  he  did  not  that  neither  the  I'nited  States 
troops  nor  the  Mexicans  would  let  him  rest.  He  a^n^ed  to  sin-render  to 
me  Nana,  one  other  man,  his  ((l(Mdnimo's)  wife,  and  one  of  Natche/'s 
wives,  with  some  of  their  children,  nine  in  all.  and  promised  to  moot  iiow- 
eral  Crook  near  San  liei'uardino  in  two  moons  to  talk  aitout  surremlerin^. 
With  this  understanding  I  returned  to  camp.  In  a  short  time  he  sent  the 
prisoners  with  the  recpie.st  that  1  </\\o  him  a  littl(>  suj^ar  and  tiour.  This 
recpiest  I  complied  with,  having  in  the  nu'antime  sent  souu»  of  my  sco'its 
for  the  pack-train,  which  they  had  found  and  hrou^dit  hack.  ih're., 
almost  at  midnij^ht.  I  was  awakened  l>y  the  scouts  who  had  asseni hied  say- 
ing? that  they  had  seen  the  Mexicans  appioachin^'  to  attack  us.  and 
that  they  mu.st  have  ammunition.  1  had  not  intended  to  issue  any  more 
just  then,  as  we  only  had  about  three  thousand  rounds  left,  hut  they 
l)ejjf<;ed  so  hard  that  I  liiuilly  issued  one  thousand  rounds,  thou^di  I  could 
hardly  believe  this  report.  No  Mexicans  appeared.  The  hostiles  luui 
plenty  of  money  and  it  was  afterward  reported  that  our  sc(uits  had  sold 
them  ammunition  at  the  rate  of  one  dollar  per  round. 

The  next  day  we  continued  on  onr  march,  which  was  very  difficult  on 
account  of  our  bein^;  encumbered  with  (»ur  wounded.  On  the  17th  of 
January,  while  sittin<{  with  Captain   Crawford,  he  opened   his  eyes  and 


\  ' 


) 


466 


I'KHSONAI,  KKCOI. I. ACTIONS  OK 


'A 


;i'i 


n  if 

1              '  '~  «  H 

■111 

Io(»k«><l  m(»  strai^rlit  in  tlu»  fjuM'  and  tluMi  prosscMl  my  luiiul.  No  douht  ho 
was  <'<>iis('i*Mi.s.  and  I  tried  t«»  p»t  liiin  t«>  speak  or  write,  luit  lir  i'ould  not. 
I  ass ti rod  liiin  i  would  d(»  all  in  my  power  t(»  airran^e  his  atTairs.  jind  he 
put  his  arm  around  me  and  drew  me  to  him,  hut  coidd  only  shake  his 
head  in  answer.  This  eonscicms  interval  only  laste<l  ahout  tive  minutes, 
and  then  the  look  of  intellij,'en<re  seenu'd  to  pass  away  forever.  The  next 
I  <lay  he  died  while  we  were  (Ui  the  march,  passing,' aiw ay 

\ ^^*^iK      so  ([uietly  that  no  one  knew  the  exaet  tinu' of  his  death. 
^  \lv.  Tffiiifc.  We  wrapped  the  lunly  in  canvas 

and  placed  it  on  one  (»f  the  pack 


mules.      We 

now   moved 

niorerapidly, 

but  when  we  reached 

the  Satachi  J{iver  we 

:o>*J:-^^j>/; ;  :   -'T  .;  could  not  cross  it,  as 

..,r:  •      •    'V-  it  was  swollen  hy  the  late  rains 

and  was  deep  and  turbulent. 
We  were  thus  forced  to  go  into 
camp  and  lose  a  day.  In  the  meantime  the  body  of  Captain  Crawford 
began  to  decompose,  so  we  hurried  on.  crossing  the  river  the  next  day  and 
on  the  day  follow  ing  reached  Nacori.  Here  we  buried  Captain  Crawford, 
putting  his  body  in  charge  of  the  Presidente  of  the  town  and  marking  well 
the  place  of  his  burial.  I  could  only  get  four  boards  (slabs)  in  the  town 
and  used  them  in  making  a  colli  n.the  body  being  wrapped  securely  in  canvas. 


TuK  Dkatii  dk  Cai'taix  ('uawkhk'). 


(JKNKUAL  NKI.SON  A.  MII.KS. 


467 


Tlir  (li.si'ositioii  of  tlir  |M>o|)|(>  was  (ItM'idnlly  iiiifriciKllv,  and  at  Mascri/ 
and  liavispo  alioiit  two  liinidrnl  of  the  local  troops  were  assmildnl  witli 
hostile  iiittMit.  To  add  to  i\w  trouble,  the  sroiits  ohtaiiied  niesral  iind  were 
very  unruly.  I  had  to  use  ^reat  care  to  prevent  a  conllict  at  Maserac.  I 
was  ()l)lifj;ed  to  pass  through  the  town,  as  there  was  a  mountain  <ni  one  side 
and  a  river  <ui  the  other.  The  ollicials  refused  at  lirst  to  let  nM>  pass,  hut 
I  moved  stune  of  the  troops  through,  supported  l»y  the  remainder,  and 
avoided  a  contlict.  At  Kavispe  tiu*  Indians  ohtaiiu'd  a  lar^e  (pumtity  of 
mescal,  and  the  civil  authorities  tried  to  take  <mr  captured  stock.  I  sent 
them  out  of  the  <'anip,  and  had  they  iftit  left  when  they  did  I  am  sure  the 
intoxicated  Indians  would  have  tired  up<ui  them.  Mere  occurred  aipuirrel 
between  a  company  of  White  iMountain  Indian  .scouts  and  ii\w,  of 
Chiricahuas.  They  loaded  their  rifles  to  tire  upon  each  other,  while  the 
first  sergeants  of  the  two  (MunpaiiieH  fought  between  the  lines,  but  I  finally 
succeeded  in  «pudling  the  disturbaiM*(\  The  lu'.xt  day  I  hurried  away,  and 
without  further  ditliculty  reached  hand's  Wanch.  arriving'  there  on  \\w.  lirst 
day  of  February.  I'p  to  that  time  we  had  nuirched  over  one  thou.sand 
miles. 

1  was  ordered  to  retuin,  February  5,  to  Mexi<'o  and  look  out  for  the 
'lu)stiles,  who  had  a|,'reed  to  si^auil  their  return.  I  camped  about  ten  miles 
south  of  the  line  on  tho  San  Hernardino  Hiv(M-,  and  remaiiu>d  there  until  the 
loth  of  March,  when  a  si^iuil  was  observed  on  a  liij;h  point  about  twenty 
miles  south,  i  went  out  with  four  or  five  sciuitsand  met  sonie  messtMi^ers 
from  (Jeronimo  and  Natchez,  near  the  point  from  which  the  sij^nal  had 
been  nuide.  They  informed  me  that  the  entire  band  of  hostiles  were  then 
about  forty  miles  away,  caniped  in  the  mountains  near  Fronteras.  I  t(»ld 
them  to  return  and  briu}^  (Jeronimo  and  his  band  at  oiu'e,  as  the  Mexicans 
were  in  pursuit  and  liable  to  attack  them  at  any  time.  Un  the  nineteenth 
the  entire  band  came  and  camped  about  half  a  mile  from  my  command. 
One  more  w^arrior  with  his  wife  and  two  children  pive  themselves  up,  and 
1  now  had  thirteen  prisoners.  I  endeavored  to  persuade  (leroninu)  and  his 
band  to,^o  into  Fort  Howie,  telling  them  they  were  liable  to  be  attacked 
by  Mexican  troops,  but  could  only  induce  them  to  move  with  me  to  the 
C'afion  de  los  Embu(^os,  about  twelve  miles  below  the  border,  where  they 
camped  in  a  strong  position  among  the  rocks  a  half  a  mile  away. 

1  had  notified  the  department  commander  upon  the  arrival  of  the 
messengers  on  the  15th,  and  on  the  21)th  he  arrived  at  my  camp.  In  the 
interval,  however,  ])etore  General  Crook  arri\ed,  (ieronimo  had  almost 
daily  come  into  my  camp  to  talk  to  me  and  a.sk  when  tlie  general  would 


ii 


i-^ 


%[ 


4()S 


l'KI{S()NAI,   |{K(M)I,I.K(TI()\S  OK 


i  il     ;  3  J   ; 


[iiif; 


,'■' 


i      : 


get  there.  On  his  jinival  a  contVreiu'e  was  hehl  and  tl»e  hostiles  promised 
they  would  surrender,  (leneral  Crook  then  returned. directing'  nu^  to  hring 
them  in.  'IMiis  I  endeavored  to  do.  hut  this  surrender  was  «Mily  an  ajjree- 
nient.  no  arms  hein^'  taken  from  tiiem,  nor  were  tliey  any  more  in  my  pos- 
session than  when  I  had  met  them  in  the  SierraMach'e  Mountains.  It  was 
helieved.  however,  tliat  they  would  come  in.  rnfortunately,  they  obtained 
liquor,  and  all  nij^dit  on  the  'J7th  I  could  hear  tii'in^'  in  th<Mr  camp  a  mile 
or  so  away.  1  siMit  my  connnand  on.  and.  acciunpanied  only  by  the  inter- 
preter, waited  for  the  hostiles  to  move,  hut  they  were  in  a  bad  hu- 
mor. They  uu)ved  their  camp  at  noon  that  day  and  I  then  h'ft. 
1  met  Ueronimo  and  a  number  of  warriors  ^'athered  to^'ether  near  by  on 
Elias  Creek,  nnmy  of  them  beinj;  druidv.  and  (ieronimo  told  me  ihey 
would  follow,  but  that  1  had  better  go  on  or  he  would  not  be  responsible 
for  my  life.  I  then  proceeded  to  my  can*}).  1  had  ordeied  the  battalion  to 
camp  at  a  point  ten  miles  on  the  way  back  on  the  San  Bernardino.  That 
afternoon  the  hostiles  came  up  and  camped  about  half  a  mile  above  me 
in  a  higher  position. 

1  went  into  their  camp  and  found  trouble.  Natchez  had  shot  his  wife, 
and  they  were  all  drinking  heavily.  1  sent  liieuteuant  Shijjp  with  a 
detail  to  destroy  all  the  mescal  at  a  rinch  near  by.  where  they  had  i)re- 
viously  obtainedall  their  liquor.  During  the  day  all  seemed  (piiet.  but  at 
night  a  few  shots  were  heard.  I  sent  to  Hud  out  the  cause  and  found  the 
trouble  was  over  some  women:  this  trouble  soon  ceased,  liowever,  and 
quiet  was  restored.  I  felt  anxious  about  the  next  day's  march,  as  I  would 
then  cross  the  line  and  be  neartroo])s.  The  iK^xt  morning  1  was  awakened 
and  told  th.at  the  hostiles  were  gone.  I  caused  a  careful  search  to  be 
made,  and  ascertaincMl  that  (ieronimo  and  Natchez  with  twenty  men. 
thirteen  women  and  two  children  had  gone  during  tin*  !iight.  and  not  a 
soul  as  far  as  1  could  ascertain,  knew  anything  of  the  tinH>  they  had  gone, 
or  that  they  had  intended  to  go.  Chihuahiia.  I'lzahney.  Nana.  Catley.  nine 
other  men,  and  forty-seven  wonuMj  and  children  remained.  The  herd  was 
brought  in.  and  only  three  of  their  horses  ^vere  missing.  I  dii-ected  Lieu- 
tenant Faison.  with  a  suHicientd(»tail.  to  take  the  renuiiuing  h(>stiles  toFoi't 
Bowie:  then,  with  all  the  available  men  left.  Lieutenant  Shipp  and  1  at 
once  started  in  pursuit. 

About  six  miles  from  camp  we  struck  the  trail  going  due  west  ovei-  a 
chain  of  high  nn)uutains.  This  gave  us  a  full  view  of  the  mountains  in 
all  directions,  but  the  trail  suddenly  changed  its  direction  to  the  south  and 
went  down  a  steep  and  ditticult  descent,  across  a  basin  so  dense  with  cliai)pa  re  1 


(iKNKl{AI-  NKLSON   A.   MILKS. 


4m 


west  (»V(>r  a 
oiiiit.aius  in 
0  south  ciiid 
li<'liiii)paivl 


and  cut  up  with  ravines  as  to  makt'  trav(d  very  difhcult  and  slow,  espe- 
cially as  every  hush  was  full  of  thorns  which  tore  ourselves  and  animals. 
Across  this  basin,  ahout  ten  miles,  the  trail  ascended  a  hi^di  mountain, 
very  steep  aiul  rocky.  The  trail  of  tlu' one  horse  with  the  hostiles  in- 
duced us  to  think  it  mij^dit  be  possible  to  ride;  but  after  reaching'  the  top 
we  found  this  horse  stabbed 
and  abandoned  amon^'  the 
rocks;  they  were  unable  to 
tak(>  it  fai'ther.  Me- 
yond.  the  descent 
was  vert i«  ill  and  of 


■••^v'.. 


^^^.»^- 


i  *    tl-: 


VI 


470 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


if 


,:    U 


i 


danger  avoided.  In  the  same  way  they  watch  the  country  for  miles  in  ad- 
vance. These  never-failing  precautions  may  serve  to  show  how  diffi- 
cult is  the  chance  of  catching  these  men,  who  once  aiarmed  are 
like  wild  animals,  with  their  sense  of  sight  and  of  hearing  as  keenly 
developed. 

We  could  not  descend  here,  so  we  were  obliged  to  retrace  our  steps 
down  the  mountain  and  make  a  circuit  of  ten  miles  to  again  strike  the 
trail  beyond.  This  we  did,  but  when  the  stream  beyond  was  reached  it 
was  dark,  and  further  pursuit  that  night  was  impossible.  The  next 
morning  we  moved  down  the  creek,  cutting  the  trails  which  had 
come  together  about  four  miles  below,  and  we  followed  this  for 
a})out  ten  miles  to  the  south.  The  hostiles  had  not  stopped  from  the 
time  they  had  left,  and  now  had  made  about  forty-five  miles  and  had 
good  ten  hours  the  start.  The  trail  here  split  and  one  part,  the  larger, 
crossed  over  the  broken  mountains  north  of  Bavispe,  into  the  Sierra 
Madres,  while  the  other  crossed  into  the  mountains  north  of 
Fronteras. 

The  scouts  now  seemed  discouraged.  Their  moccasins  were  worn  out 
by  the  constant  hard  work  of  the  past  five  months,  and  the  prospect  of 
returning  to  the  scenes  of  their  last  trials  was  not  inviting.  Besides, 
their  discharge  would  take  place  in  about  one  month.  They  appealed  to 
me  to  go  no  further,  telling  me  that  it  was  useless,  etc.  This  I  appreciated 
and  decided  to  return.  We  then  retraced  our  way  and  continued  the 
homeward  march.  While  returning,  two  of  the  escaped  hostiles  joined 
me  and  gave  themselves  up.  I  arrived  at  Fort  Bowie  on  the  3d  of  April. 
The  results  of  the  expedition  were  by  no  means  unimportant  as  we  had 
secured  the  larger  part  of  the  hostiles,  seventy-nine  in  all,  of  whom  fifteen 
were  warriors. 

I  cannot  speak  too  highly  of  the  noble  and  soldierly  qualities  of  Captain 
Crawford,  killed  by  Mexican  troops  while  doing  all  in  his  power  to  help 
them.  He  was  ever  ready,  ever  brave  and  loyal  in  the  performance  of  his 
duty,  and  his  loss  was  indeed  a  serious  one. 

Lieutenant  Shipp  suffered  all  the  hardships  of  the  campaign,  and  his 
services  are  entitled  to  high  consideration. 

Lieutenant  Faison  showed  much  ability  and  energy  in  supplying  the 
command  and  in  handling  the  trains.  While  not  with  the  command 
during  the  action  with  the  Indians  and  Mexicans,  his  duty  was  not  only  a 
hard  one,  but  full  of  danger  and  suffering. 

"Oortor  Davis  was  very  faithful  and  efficient. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


471 


I  cannot  commend  too  highly  Mr.  Horn,  my  chief  of  scouts;  his  gallant 
services  deserve  a  reward  which  he  has  never  received.* 


Meanwhile,  the  closing  scenes  above  described  by  Captain  Maus,  and 
the  condition  of  afifairs  in  Arizona  attracted  unusual  attention. 

One  of  General  Crook's  methtJds  of  dealing  with  the  hostiles  was  to 
employ  a  certain  number  of  the  same  tribe  to  act  as  scouts  in  their 
pursuit.  Possibly,  s-s  there  have  been  so  many  misrepresentations  as  to 
what  his  instructions  actually  were,  the  conditions  he  made  with  the 
surrendered  Indians,  and  my  own  instructions,  a  better  understanding  will 
be  obtained  by  presenting  the  official  correspondence  tirst  published  in 
1886,  that  passed  between  the  department  commander  and  the  higher  au- 
thorities immediately  prior  to  my  assuming  command  of  that  department. 
This  correspondence  was  as  follows,  General  Crook  having  gone  from 
Fort  Bowie  down  to  meet  the  hostile  Apaches: 

Camp  el  Canon  i»k  Los  Emiudos.  ) 

20  Miles  S.  E.  Sax  Beknakdino,  Mexico,  March  20,  1886.—  } 
Lieutenant-General  P.  H.  Sheridan,  Washington,  1).  C. : 

I  met  the  hostiles  yesterday  at  Lieut.  Maus'  caiup,  they  being  located  about  five  hun- 
dred yards  distant.  I  found  thera  very  independent,  and  fierce  as  so  many  timers. 
Knowing  what  pitiless  brutes  they  are  themselves,  they  mistrust  everyone  else.  After  my 
talk  with  them  it  seemed  as  if  it  would  be  impossible  to  ^et  any  hold  on  them,  except  on 
condition  that  they  be  allowed  to  return  to  their  reservation  on  their  old  status. 

To-day  things  look  more  favorable.  George  Crook.  Brigadier  General. 


Camp  kl  Canon  Los  Embudos,  Mexico,  March  27,  1880. 
Lieutexant-General  Sheridan,  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  1).  C. :  (JonJidenUaL 

,  In  conference  with  Geronimo  and  the  other  Chiricahuas  I  told  them  they  must  decide 
at  once  on  unconditional  surrender  or  to  fltrht  it  out.  That  in  the  latter  event  hostilities 
should  be  resumed  at  once,  and  the  last  one  of  them  killed  if  it  took  fifty  years.  I  told 
them  to  reflect  on  what  they  were  to  do  before  giving  me  their  answer.  The  only  projto- 
sitions  they  would  entertain  were  these  three  :  That  they  should  be  sent  east  for  not 
exceetling  two  years,  taking  with  them  such  of  their  families  as  so  desired,  leaving  at 
Apache  Nana  who  is  seventy  years  old  and  superannuated  ;  or  that  they  should  all  return 
to  the  reservation  upon  their  old  status  ;  or  else  return  to  the  war-path  with  its  attendant 
horrors. 


*Thia  is  quite  true  of  Mr.  Horn,  but  not  more  true  than  of  the  writer  himself,  and  of  Captain  Crawford, 
Captain  Wirt  Davis,  Captain  Wilder.  Lieutenant  Gatewood  and  Lieutenant  Clarke.  Neither  were  Captain 
Baldwin  and  Captain  Snyder  rewarded,  and  the  same  Is  truf  of  scores  of  others  who  have  renderet^most  dis- 
tinguished, laborious  and  heroic  services  in  this  most  dllflcult  and  dnnRerous  of  all  warfare.  It  is  true  that 
some  of  them  have  had  some  advance  of  rank  in  the  regular  course  of  promotion,  but  no  more  than  others  who 
have  never  engaged  in  such  services.  Yet  they  have  the  consciousness  of  having  rendered  to  the  government 
and  their  fellow  countrymen  most  valuable  and  Important  services. 


(    ' 


'i^   , 


I  ! 


472 


I'KKSONAJ,   KKCOI.I.KCTIONS   OK 


1.     il 


Ah  I  lifi'l  III  iicl  ;it  iifnc  I  Im  .»•  fo  (|;i  v  !ii<-<-|.»f(|  flicir  Hurr'-ri'ltT  ii[)<iri  tlit^  /irHt  [iropo 
'•iti'iti.  K;fli'ii;i.  till-  v'liin;/  cliiff  who  |i-mm  fli;iii  two  V'iirM  ii^'o  w!im  iIi<'  wipmI  ( ')iiri'';i|iii;i 
'if  till-  wli'ilf  I'lt.  iH  ijiiw  [n'rfiTllv  viil»'lij<-'l.  !!<•  i''  tli'ifiii!.'!!!  V  r'-''(iri''tri)cti'i|,  Ii;ih  ri'ii'l.'ic'l 
KM-  vii|ii;il)|i-  HMsiMfJiiirc.  iiii'i  will  l)f  of  f/ri'Jif  Mcrvicc  in  lici|ii(ii.i'  to  rdritrol  tlicHc  Iri'liiuis  in 
flu-  future.  Him  ntiiv  fit  ,\|c!itrii/  Ii;ih  workc'l  ii  c'ltniili-tf  (•••fiirtii;iti'iii  iti  liin  cliiiDifffr.  I 
have  (I'lt  !i  'loiiht  lliat  "idiilar  f reatiin-nt  will  [iro'luic  Maiin-  ii-MuitH  willi  flit-  wlirijc  haii'i, 
aii'l  tjjat   liv  till-  cii'i  'if  tliiit   liiiii-  tlic  !■  Xfitcrii'-tit    lii-ti-  will  liav  'lifl  (iwiiy. 

.\Ia(if.'ijM,  with  tliirti'cn  ( 'ImicaliuaM,  mix  'if  wIkimi  are  Iiii'I<h.  is  not  witli  flu-  tiflicr 
< 'liiri<'aliiia'',  IIi-  Mfjiaratfi  froiii  tlictn  in  /\ii(/u''t  la'-f,  aii'l  Iran  mncc  licM  no  c'lrrirMnnica- 
tion  witli  t||i-Mi.  Ilf  liaH  c'lininittc'l  n'l  'li'iiri-'lati'iiit-.  Ah  it  wiul'l  !»<•  jik'-lv  to  fake  at, 
Icavt  a  var  to  (iii'l  liiiii  in  the  iinMH-iiHc  rani/fH  iif  niounfaiti'^  t'l  tlif  h'imIIi.  I  flunk  it, 
ina'l  V  iHalile  to  att)-(ri|>t  anv  Hcarcli  at  tliin  tiinf.  i-H|,cr'iall  y  an  lie  will  uti'l'iiilitfjl  v  (.'ivf-  liini- 
Hflf  nti  an  noon  an  In-  li'-arn  wliat  t.lic  »itli»TH  liavc  'I'inc. 

I  "tart  for  Mowii-  I'l  tnorr'iw  fnorniiiL'.  t'l  rcacli  tlicri- tn-xt  nii/lil,  I  [■'•"[■••'•ifnll  v  r«''|M<-vt. 
to  lif  Mif'irfn»''l  wlii'tli'T 'ir  n'lt  inv  acti'm  lian  Ix-i'n  atitirovcl.  ati'l  al-n  tliat  full  inHtrri'ti'iriH 
tiii'<'t  nil'  at  that  |,')int,  'I'li'-  ( ,'liir  icaliuaH  ntart  for  li'iwi"'  f'l  (norr'iw  witli  tlic  Apaclif  HcintH 
nii'l'T    l,M-iil.   .\|auH.  («l,oH',i,  ' 'i.'ooK  .    I>rii'a'li<-r  f  •••nfral. 


;  r  I 


I    I 


Wa^MIN'iIos.   h,  (;,,   ,\Jar.li  'M),   I  SS(». 
f /i,s  l,l.'Af,  (/),oi;',i.  f 'ir'»oK,    l'''irt  l''iwif,  Ariz'ma. 

\''iij  ar«'  coiili'lonliallv  inf'irincl  fliat  \<>iu  fflfi/ratii  'tf  ,\Iar'-li  !j!mIi  in  r<''i'i vcj.  '['Ik- 
I *rcHii|i-nt  cadii'it  annent  t'l  tlic  Hiirri-ii'lcr 'if  tlic  li'iHtilcs  'iti  tip'  ti-rm-  tliat  tln'ir  iiiiiiriHfin- 
rri'-nf  hint  for  tvvi  viif^-  willi  tlif  uti'lfrHtari'lirif/  'if  their  return  to  the  re-ervation,  lie 
in-tru'-lH  \()ii  to  enter  at/ain  inl'i  nei/otiati'in-  on  the  terinH 'if  their  iineou'liti'inal 'urri-ii'ler, 
'ihiv  Hparini/  their  li^e^;  in  th<-  tneantiine.  an'l  'in  the  receipt  of  this'ir'ler.  V'lM  af 
'lircctc'l  t'l  take  everv'  hrecanti'in  aM'ain"!  the  '•'"•ajii'  'if  the  li'ii-tilcH.  v\liic|i  rnnvt  n'lt  Ik- 
all'iW'l  iiri'Icr  anv  cir'MiiiiHtancc'^,  \'ou  inu^'l  make  at  'ince  mich  (|iH|i'.Hiti'in  'if  voiir  tcioriH 
a"  will  inviire  a^'ain'-t  fnrthi-r  h'lHtilitic-  hy  conifiletint'  the  'le^irnction  of  tiic  j]r,-ii|cH  imlcHH 
thc'^c  terni"  ar'-  ac'-c[ite'|.  | ',    ||.  ,'~  ii  I,  i;  I  ii,\  ^  .   I.ieiil,  (»eneral, 

l'''il,'l    I'.owil,.    A,  '!',.    \Iar':h  ilO.    I HSC,. 
1,1 1,1   I ,  'ii.s,   I',   1 1,  ,^m  ifiiiA  s  .    \\'a-hi(i<,/ton.   it.  <', 

A  I'oiincr  jii^t  in  from  l.icui.  .Maun  lepiirt'^  tliat  'iNnni.'  la'-t  ni^'ht  Ocr'inimo  an'l 
,\atche/  wjth  twentv  men  an'l  ihirte.-n  w'lmen  ji'ft  hin  carrip.  takini.'  fi'i  Hto'k.  lie  "-tatcH 
that  iheie  wan  no  aiiiiaf-nt  can-'-  for  lhci(  jcavin!.'.  Two  'lispatclicH  r<-ceivc'l  fr'iMi  him 
thi"  ni'irnint/  r>-[iorte'|  ewrvthiri!/  ijuluij  'in  wejj  ati'l  the  ( !hiri'!ahua<j  in  k'io'I  "spirit", 
'hihuahua  an'l  t'/,e|i.e  men  remamer)  l,ehin'l.  I,i<'iit.  Man-  vvilh  hi-'  H'-'iutn.  e x'-ept  enoiir/h 
t'l  lake  tie    'ilh'-r  prisoner*-  to   IJ'iv'.ic.  ha\e  (_f',iie   m   pur-'Mil, 

(»!,'»,  t'i;'i'iK.   I'ri'fa'licr  fiencral. 


W'a    IIIS'.I'.-..    I).  (;..   March  :il.    ISM'i. 
f  f  l.'s  l,i;  A  I.  f/l,'ii;'.l    f 'iMi'iK,   I''irt    IJovmc.   A,  T. 

\ 'iiir   'li^palch'if    se-t.T'lav     r<-ce|i,e'|,        It    ha^-    'icca-i'iricl    ^Teat    'lisapp'iifitmenl.       It 
HeejM"    "tran;."'    that    fjeronimo    an'l    partv    c',m|'|    hav-    e-'c;ip>.'|    without  the  kri'iwle'l'fe  fif 

the   HCmtH.  I'.    II      .'^((f.lMliA  \.    Lieut,    fiefieral. 


«   '    i 


first  pnipo 
f.  (  ')iiri>ii|,M;i 
li.'iH  ri-iii\,'tfi\ 
^f  Ifi'lifins  Id 
•liiir;i(fiT.  I 
wlioli-  him(|, 

III     flil-    ..tli»T 

'■'i(rirriiiriH'!i- 
ly  f'l  t;il<>.  ;i» 
li.  I  tliuik  it. 
II y  t-'ivf-  liiin- 

full V  n-(jii<-vt 
ifiHtru'tidrm 

[i.'icIjc   HC(,nfH 

•  '•fXTJI  1. 

»,  ISHd, 

•  •ivi'd,  'I'lic 
ir   i(ii|iriHriri- 

Viltldli.        Ifc 

III  HiirrciifJiT. 

I<T.     V'U     JU<' 

niiHt    ij<it    !)<• 
\iitir  tr<i(i[iM 
I'-lil'"'.  iidlcHH 
F''n<'r;ii. 

».  iHHi;. 

roiiiiii'i  jiii'l 
II''  ^(;it.'' 
'I  from  liiiti 
■ii<ii\  vpiril-. 
•'•[i(  ••n'lijf/li 

I'/ji'fiil, 

,   IShf,, 

lltllKTit,  If 

I'lVvlch"'  of 

•  •ri'-nil. 


(;knki:,m.  nki.,-(>\  a    mii.ks. 


\T.'. 


l-.,i:i    I'.owu',.  A.  'I   .  ManI,  I!!.  ISS<',. 
LlKin.^iKN'KllAI.   I'     II     Slli;(:ll>AN,    Wji'ilniiirtoli,    l»    '' 

In  fplv  t,»»  your  <lm|.iitfli  of  M;ir'li  tliirti.-th,  »o  .(i;!!)].-  von  f.,  cjfiirlv  uri'l'Tvtiiri'l  tl..- 
nitiKitiori,  it  hIiomM  Ik-  r'-fn«T(il<'T.-<i  tlisit  tlif  hoMtilcM  lui'l  im  ;it.'rfi-riifiit  witli  l,ifiit.  Mini- 
tliat  tlii'V  wiTf  to  hi-  ni'-t  l)V  m«-  fw.-ntv  fiv.-  niil'-i  I. '-low  tin-  liri'-,  ;ui'l  tluit  no  r'-!.oiliir 
trooi.H    wt'Tf  to    l»<-    prcHffit.       W'lnl'-    I     w;m    v.-rv    ii\>THr  to    midi  an  arraiit/'-trn-nt,   I   lia-l  t<, 


\|'M    Fd-      IS      A  Ml-.l    ■'!( 

;il,l<|..  \,y  it,  ;iH  it  l,;.'l  ;ilr.-;.'lv  l.'-<-n  '•tit'-r.-i  into.  W.-  fonn'l  »li-rn  In  '■■,,,„],  on  ;i  ro-kv  lull 
aliout  five  I.iin'ln-<1  var-h  from  |,i.-ut.  Maim,  in  url,  ,,  pomdon  tlmt  a  tlion-ian'l  m-n  'oul'l 
nf)t  liav.:  MurToiin'it-'l  tl|.-m  witli  anv  [.o^.^iLiiit  v  of  cjiiiturint.'  lli'-m.  'I'li-V  '■■/.•f  al,|.-.  upon 
tl,.-  a[.[.roa.|i  of  anv  >-n'-mv  li.-ini/  Hit/nal.-l.  to  -r;,tl.T  aii'l  .•nrjip.-  tl.r-.i.L'l'  'l"/'-fr-.  "f 
ravin. -H  an'i  rjinonM,  wlncli  vvoui'l  -l,.-|t.T  th.-m  from  [.iirHuit  until  tli.-v  r.-a'l.'-d  tl..-  Iii(/li.-r 
niri^.-H  in  tli-:  virinity.      Tli'-y  w-r-  arm-'l  to  tl,-,  t.-tl,,  liavuiL'  tli"  rno-t  approvd  l"hi^  an-l 


,  i 


474 


PERSONAL  KECOLLECTIONS  OF 


all  the  ammunition  they  could  carry.  The  clothin^r  and  other  supplies  lost  in  the  fight 
with  Crawford  had  been  replaced  by  blankets  and  shirts  obtained  in  Mexico.  Lieut. 
Maus,  with  Apache  scouts,  was  camped  at  the  nearest  point  the  hostiles  would  agree  to 
their  approaching. 

Even  had  I  been  disposed  to  betray  the  confidence  they  placed  in  me,  it  would  have 
been  simply  an  impossibility  to  get  white  troops  to  that  point  either  by  day  or  by  night 
without  their  knowledge,  and  had  I  attempted  to  do  this  the  whole  band  would  have 
stampeded  back  to  the  mountains.  So  suspicious  were  they  that  never  more  than  from 
five  to  eight  of  the  men  came  into  our  camp  at  one  time,  and  to  have  attempted  the 
arrest  of  those  would  have  stampeded  the  others  to  the  mountains.  Even  after  the  march  to 
Bowie  began  we  were  compelled  to  allow  them  to  scatter.  They  would  not  march  in  a  body, 
and  had  any  efforts  been  made  to  keep  them  together  they  would  have  broken  for  the 
mountains.  My  only  hope  was  to  get  their  confidence  on  the  march  through  Kaetena 
and  other  confidential  Indians,  and  finally  to  put  them  on  the  oars,  and  until  this  was  done 
it  was  impossible  even  to  disarm  them. 

Geokge  Crook,  Brigadier-General,  Commanding. 


Washington,  D.  C,  April  1,  1886. 
General  George  Crook,  Fort  Bowie,  A.  T. 

Your  dispatch  of  March  thirty-first  received.  I  do  not  see  what  you  can  now  do 
except  to  concentrate  your  troops  at  the  best  points  and  give  protection  to  the  people. 
Geronirao  will  undoubtedly  enter  upon  other  raids  of  murder  and  robbery,  and  as  the 
offensive  campaign  against  him  with  scouts  has  failed,  would  it  not  be  best  to  take  up 
the  defensive  and  give  protection  to  the  people  and  business  interests  of  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico.  The  infantry  might  be  stationed  by  companies  at  certain  points  requiring 
protection,  and  the  cavalry  patrol  between  them.  You  have  in  your  department  forty- 
three  companies  of  infantry  and  forty  companies  of  cavalry,  and  ought  to  be  able  to  do 
a  good  deal  with  such  a  force.  Please  send  me  a  statement  of  what  you  contemplate  for 
the  future.  P.  H.  Sheridan,  Lieut.-General. 


Fort  Bowie,  A.  T.,  April  1,  1886. 
Lieut.-General  P.  H.  Sheridan,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Your  dispatch  of  to-day  received.  It  has  been  my  aim  throughout  present  opera- 
tions to  afford  the  greatest  amount  of  protection  to  life  and  property  interests,  and 
troops  have  been  stationed  accordingly.  Troops  cannot  protect  property  beyond  a  radius 
of  one-half  mile  from  their  camp.  If  offensive  movements  against  the  Indians  are  not 
resumed,  they  may  remain  quietly  in  the  mountains  for  an  indefinite  time  without  crossing 
the  line,  and  yet  their  very  presence  there  will  be  a  constant  menace  and  require  the 
troops  in  the  department  to  be  at  all  times  in  position  to  repress  sudden  raids,  and  so 
long  as  any  remain  out  they  will  form  a  nucleus  for  disaffected  Indians  from  the  different 
agencies  in  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  to  join.  That  the  operations  of  the  scouts  in  Mexico 
have  not  proven  as  successful  as  was  hoped,  is  due  to  the  enormous  difficulties  they  have 
been  compelled  to  encounter  from  the  nature  of  the  Indians  they  have  been  hunting,  and 
the  character  of  the  country  in  which  they  have  operated,  and   of  which  persons  not 


li  !' 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


475 


thoroufrhly  conversant  with  both  can  have  no  conception.  1  believe  that  the  phm  upon 
which  I  have  conducted  operations  is  the  t)ne  most  likely  to  prove  successful  in  the  end. 
It  may  be,  however,  that  I  am  too  much  wedded  to  niv  own  views  in  this  matter,  and  as  I 
have  spent  nearly  ei^ht  years  of  the  hardest  work  in  niv  life  in  this  department,  I  respect- 
fully request  that  I  may  now  be  relieved  from  its  command. 

GKOK(iK  C'ltooK,  Brij^adier-General. 


Washinoton,  D.  C,  April  2.  1880. 
General  N.  A.  Miles,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

Orders   of  this   day  assign   you   to  command  the   Department  of  Arizona  to  relieve 
General  Crook.     Instructions  will  be  sent  you. 

K.  C.  DiuiM,  Adjutant-General. 


FoKT  BowiK,  A.  T.,  April  2,  1880. 
Lieut.-General  p.  H.  Sheridan,  Washington,  1).  C. 

The  hostiles  who  did  not  leave  with  Geronimo  arrived  to-<lay.  About  eighty.  I  have 
not  ascertained  the  exact  number.  Some  of  the  worst  of  the  band  are  anumtr  them.  In 
my  judgment  they  should  be  sent  away  at  once,  as  the  effect  on  those  still  out  v/ould  be 
much  better  than  to  confine  them.  After  they  ^et  to  their  destination,  if  they  can  be 
shown  that  their  future  will  be  better  by  remaininf^  than  to  return,  1  think  there  will  be 
but  little  difficulty  in  obtaining  their  consent  to  remain  indefinitely.  When  sent  off  a 
guard  should  accompany  them.  Geoimk  Crook,  Briijadier-General. 


WAsiiiNiiToN,  D.  C,  April  5,  1880. 
Gen.  Geo.  Crook,  Fort  Bowie,  Ariz. 

The  present  terms  not  having  been  agreed  to  here,  and  Geronimo  having  broken 
every  condition  of  surrender,  the  Indians  now  in  custody  are  to  be  held  as  prisoners  and 
sent  to  Fort  Marion  without  reference  to  previous  communication  and  without,  in  any  way, 
consulting  their  wishes  in  the  matter.  This  is  in  addition  to  my  previous  telegram  of 
to-day.  P.  H.  Sheridan,  Lieut.-General. 


Washington,  D.  C,  April  2,  1880. 
General  George  Crook,  Fort  Bowie,  A.  T. 

General  Miles   has  been   ordered  to   relieve   you   in   command  of  the  Department  cf 
Arizona  and  orders  issued   to-day.    Advise  General  Miles  where  you  will  be. 

By  order.  Secretary  of  War.  li.  C   Drum,  Adjutant-General. 


Fort  Bowie,  A.  T.,  April  3,  1880. 
General  N.  A.  Miles,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

Adjutant-General  of  the  Army  telegraphs  that  you  have  been  directed  to  relieve  me 
in  command  Dep't  of  Arizona.  Shall  remain  at  Fort  Bowie.  When  can  I  expect  you 
here?  George  Crook,  Brigadier-General. 


^\   I  \ 


i  ' 


''K 


liii 


I 


if 


470 


IM:KS()NAL  IfKCOIJ.KCTIONS  OK 


li' 


^1    i\ 


P'oKT  Lkavknwortii,  Kansas.  April  3,  188ft. 
Gknkk.m,  CjiKoutiK  Ckook,  Fort  Howi«,  A.  T. 

'I'lif   order  was  u   pfrfect   surprisw  to  mt;.      I    do    not   expect  to    leave  here  for  several 
davH,  p<tssil)ly,  one  week.  N.  A.  Mii.Ks,  Bri«radier-General. 


HKAIKirAKTKKS  OK  TIIK  AlJMY,  ) 

Washington,  I).  C,  April  3,  1880.  ( 
Gknkkai,  Nki.son  a.  Mil. km,  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas. 

The  Lieuteniint-General  directs  that  on  assuming  command  of  the  Department  of 
Arizona,  yon  fix  your  iieachjuarters  temporarily  at  or  near  some  point  on  the  Southern 
Pacihc  li.  K. 

He  directs  tliat  tiie  iiTeatest  care  be  taken  to  prevent  the  spread  of  hostilities  amon^ 
friendly  Indians  in  your  command,  and  that  the  most  vif^'orous  operations  looking  to  the 
destruction  or  capture  of  the  hostiles  he  ceaselessly  carried  on.  He  does  not  wish  to 
embarrass  you  by  undertakinij  at  this  distance  to  «^ive  specific  instructions  in  relation  to 
operations  aijainst  the  hostiles,  but  it  is  ileemed  advisable  to  sui^irest  the  necessity  of 
makinif  active  and  ])rominent  use  of  the  rej^ular  troops  of  your  command.  It  is  desired 
that  you  ]»roceed  to  Arizona  as  soon  as  practicable. 

H.  C.  Dki'm,  Adjutant-General. 


I  never  had  any  dosii-e  to  go  to  tliis  section  of  country  or  to  engage 
in  a  campaign  of  tliat  character.  Still  I  was  aware  that  such  an  event 
might  po.ssihly  occur. 

Therefore,  i)erhaps,  I  should  not  have  heen  surprised  when,  at  Fort 
Leavenwortii,  Kan.sas,  April  '2,  ISSC),  I  received  telegraphic  orders  to 
proceed  ii.imediately  to  Arizona  and  take  charge  of  that  department,  I 
did  not  welcome  the  order  with  any  degree  of  satisfaction.  In  fact  it 
was  a  most  undesirable  duty.  Vet  the  order  was  impersitive  and  re(piired 
immediate  action. 

By  special  act  of  Congress  general  officers  are  allowed  certain  staff 
officers  known  as  aides-de-camp.  They  are  the  per.sonal  .staff  of  the  general 
officer,  and  are  expected  to  go  with  him  to  any  field  or  any  part  of  the 
country  and  he  in  constant  read^*  "".ss  for  any  service  that  may  be  required 
of  them  in  organizing,  disciplining,  mol)ilizing  and  commanding  any  mili- 
tary force.  At  that  time  1  was  entitled  to  two  officers  of  that  class  though 
I  had  but  one,  Lieutenant  0.  F.  Long.  He  having  recently  been  relieved 
under  a  rule  that  had  been  newly  inaugurated,  and  L  not  having  been  able 
to  name  another  to  take  his  place,  was  compelled  to  leave  Leavenworth 
practically  alone.  Still  1  had  at  that  time  a  very  efficient  and  faithful 
general  service  clerk,  stenographer  and  secretary,  Mr.  J.  Frank  Brown,  and 
under  the  rules  existing  at  that  time  I  had  authority  to  discharge  him  from 


GENEKAl,  NKI.SON  A.  MILKS. 


477 


I  3.  188«. 

3  for  several 
reneral. 


.} 


1880 


[)artnient  of 
he  Southern 

ities  amonfif 
)kin^  to  tlie 
lot  wish  to 
1  relation  to 
necessity  of 
t  is  desired 

eneral. 


:o  enj?a«;e 
an  event 

,  at  Fort 
orders  to 
hnent.  I 
In  fact  it 
required 

tain  staff 
le  ji^eneral 
art  of  the 
required 
any  niili- 
ss  though 
1  relieved 
been  able 
venwoi-tli 
d  faithful 
•own,  and 
him  from 


tile  service  and  reemploy  him  in  another  department.  I  had  recpje.sted  to 
have  this  man  transferred  to  the  Department  of  Arizona  and  ulsu  had 
asked  permission  to  take  with  me  oue  other  man.  a  faithful,  intellipMit 
nie.ssenj<er.  But  the.se  official  re(iuests  iiavinj;  been  disapproved,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  authority  then  existing'  I  discliar}j;<'(l  from  the  .service 
the  {.general  service  clerk,  and  took  iiini  at  my  own  exjieuse  to  the 
Department  of  Arizona,  where  I  iiad  him  reemployed.  1  .started  on 
the  morning  of  the  7th  of  April  a  id  reached  Bowie  Station,  Arizona, 
April  12. 

Very  few  of  the  trooi)s  in  that  department  iiad  ever  served  under  my 
command  and  therefore  I  was  not  as  familiar  with  tho  /xrsnn ml  of  the  com- 
mand as  1  would  lia\..  desired.  Arrivinj;  practically  alone  and  undertak- 
ing a  campaign  in  a  territory  of  the  topogra|)liy  of  which  I  ha«l  no  |»ersonal 
knowledge  any  more  than  I  had  of  the  habits  and  disi»osition  of  the  mer- 
ciless savages,  the  enterprise  seemed  to  be  ((uitc  dillicult. 

At  Bowie  Station,  on  the  Southern  I'acitic  liailroad.  I  found  a  battalion 
of  the  Second  Cavalry  encamped,  and  in  a  very  unsatisiactory  condition. 
They  appeared  to  be  not  only  discouraged  but  lliorcMiglily  disheartened. 
They  had  been  in  the  held  a  long  time  doing  most  disagreeable  and 
hazardous  duty,  and  appeared  to  have  very  little  hope  of  ultimate  success. 
The  citizens  and  settlers  located  in  that  district  of  country 
were  the  most  terror-stricken  people  1  had  ever  seen  in 
any  part  of  the  I'nited  States.  The  settleis  were 
afraid  to  travel  during  the  daytime,  and  never 
felt  safe  either  night  or  day 
unless    within 

reach  of  their  hre-  ^^  :--0IMffflifl'"''i^liTyiBillliiilP"***^'  .s^^M-^^^^ 
arms.      Many    of  ^S^^i 
the  mines  and  set- 
tlements had  been        _ 


abandoned.     The 
Aiiache   was    the  r^ 


l'"(iKT  HnwiK,  Arizona. 


tiers  by  day  and 

by    night.       For 

hundreds  of  years  the  Apache  had  been  at  war  with  the  civilized  races; 

first  with  the  Spaniards,  then  with  the  Mexicans,  and  still  later  with  the 

United  States  authorities. 


I  h  '« 


M.— JH 


! 


47.S 


PKIJSONAI.  KKCOLI.KCTIONS  OF 


^'.iiM        I 


I'lidcr  ii  treaty  or  si^'n'cmcnt  bt'twotMi  our  ^'overnment  and  Mexico, 
permission  was  ^'ranted  l>y  the  Mexican  government  for  our  tntops  to 
pursue  hostile  li.  lians  int<»  the  territory  of  Mexico.  This  arran^'ement 
resulted  most  satisfactorily  as  it  enalded  our  troops  to  pursue  the  Indians 
without  givin{^'  tli<»m  any  rest  and  also  to  act  in  concert  with  the  Mex- 
ican trooits.  1  found  (iovernor  Louis  Torres,  governor  of  Sonora  and 
sul>se(|uently  a  general  in  the  Mexican  iiriny,  a  most  agreealde  gentle- 
nuin  and  ellicient  executive.  His  assistance  and  coo[»eration  was  most 
agreeahle  and  henelicial.  I  was  also  fortunate  in  having  the  friendshi[»  (tf 
the  distinguished  diplomat.  Senor  Don  Matias  Homero.  who  has  so  long  and 
ahly  represented  his  government  in  Washington  as  minister  of  that 
re[»ul)lic. 

I  also  wish  to  acknowledge  the  able  assistance  received  from  (Jovernor 
lioss  of  New  Mexi<*o.  formerly  a  I'nited  States  Senator  from  Kansas,  and 
(iovernor  Zulick  of  Arizona,  tor  assistance  and  C(M>peration.  as  well  as  that 
(►f  Mr.  L.  P.  Hughes,  then  a  citi/eu  of  that  territory  and  now  its  govenu)r. 

From  Howie  Station  I  went  to  Fort  IJowie.  where  I  established  my 
headcpiarters.  This  little  military  post  was  .situated  in  a  pass  of  the  moun- 
tains f  rmerly  known  as  Apache  Pass,  near  what  was  called  Cochise's 
stronghold  in  the  mountains,  which  was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  A i)aches 
for  nniny  years.  The  cemetery  near  that  military  station  contains  the 
remains  of  a  large  number  of  [)eople.  both  men  and  women,  who  had  been 
killed  in  that  vicinity.  Among  the  victiuis  were  people  who  had  traveled 
on  the  stage,  prospectors,  ranchmen,  and  .soldiers  who  had  been  waylaid 
and  killed,  or  captured  and  then  tortured  to  a  cruel  and  merciless  death. 

My  first  duty  was  to  reorgainze  the  comnuuid.s.  and  if  i)ossil)le  inspire 
activity  and  confidence  in  the  troops,  and  give  the  settlers  assurances  of 
protection.  To  this  end  1  divided  the  territory  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona 
into  districts  of  observation,  i)lacing  the  territory  near  each  military  post 
under  the  supervision  of  its  ccmimanding  officer,  with  instructions  to  nuike 
his  immediate  di.strict  untenable  for  any  band  of  Indians  that  might  in- 
vade it.  The  w'hole  aspect  of  the  country  was  that  of  cheerlessness,  doul)t 
and  uncertainty.  The  territory  roamed  over  by  these  Indians  was  at  least 
six  hundred  miles  in  extent  north  and  south  and  three  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  east  and  we.st.  This  territory,  comprised  within  the  Rocky  and 
Sierra  Madre  Mountains,  was  the  most  barren  and  desolate  region  on  the 
continent. 

These  Apaches  were  perhaps  the  most  expert  mountain  climbers  in  the 
world.   By  their  training,  by  their  habits  of  life  and  the  necessities  of  their 


-    f  ! 


U'4 


liKNKUAl,  NKI,S()N   A.  MILKS. 


479 


\  Mexico, 
h'oops  to 

lll^MMIKMlt 

(>  iiuliuiis 
the  Mox- 
iioni  iiiid 
('  ^'(Mitie- 
vvas  most 
'iidsliii*  of 
)  loii^'  and 
of   that 

(Jovonior 
Liisas.  and 
'11  as  that 
f^ovornor. 
lishcd  my 
lie  moini- 
Cochise's 
3  Apat'lies 
itaiiis  the 
had  heeii 

traveled 
1  wayhiid 

ss  death, 
le  inspire 
irances  of 
d  iVrizoua 
tary  post 
s  to  make 
might  in- 
fss,  doul)t 
IS  at  least 

and  fifty 
U)cky  and 
on  on  the 


! 


existence  they  were  a  strong,  lithe,  powerfnl  people,  with  a  singular  lung 
power  which  enahled  them  to  climl»  those  high  altitudes  without  a<*cident 
and  with  very  little  fatigue.  The  mountains  were  rugged  and  precipitous, 
and  the  valleys  narrow  and  in  many  pliiccs  destitute  of  water,  if  there  had 
been  a  large  nundier  of  Indians  where  a  strong  hody  of  troops  couhl  have 
been  brought  against  them,  the  i)robJein  would  have  been  simple  and  easy 
of  .solution  ;  but  to  undertaU*'  to  subjugate  a  snuill  band  that  nu»ved  with 
the  greatest  rapidity  from  one  inaccessibh'  [)oint  to  another  was  more 
dlllicnit. 


'.  if 


Qrs  in  the 
!S  of  their 


lih 


480 


I'hlltSONAL  KKCULLECTIONS  OF 


: 


^ 


I  ("■■ 


It.' 
II 


CHAI»TKK  XXXVFI. 

TlIK     AlU/AJ.NA     (AMI'AIUN.     (1) 

I"iii>iim:m    Pi(i;MKNTi:it   nv   Tin;   Sin  atkin  —  Oi'iniuns  m--  ('iTfzi:\s  —  Tjti:   OnsTAci.Ks  m   Si  rccsf^ 
l'iti:Hi:.vTi;i)    iiv   Tin:    N  \ti  iiai,  Conmitiuns  —  Aii>  iiioM  tit,  Skinai.  Coui-h   at    \V\»m\(i- 

Tns  — 'rili;  lli:i,|nsTAT  — AKHA\(lK.Mi:NTOKSTATin.\S — Xl'MIIKK  i»K  M  |;hH.v<II:«  Si'.NT — 

Disi'iiici's     (ii-   <  )iisi:i{VATH)N  — (!\i'r\i\     I/Awion  —  ("m'tain     Whud  — 

()Tlli;i(     Ol'iniMiS    OK    Tin:  (!<i.MMAM> — lilti:  \KIM1  hit  nl-   IlosTII.Krt 

—  |)i;taii.s    111'    Tin:    ('AMi'AKiN    A»iUNf*T    Tin:     \i>Aiiii:H. 

IK'll  liciii;^' tlic  (•iiruinstiinccvs  the  problem  that  i)i'('S('iittMl  itself 
to  iiu'  was  this:  There  were  forty  tiioiisand  liidiaiis  in  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona  the  nniin  i»ortion  of  whom  wen^  peace- 
able and  well  disposed,  yet  in  nearly  all  the  ditt'erent  tribes 
there  were  disalTected  anil  tnrl)nlent  elemcMits  ready  to  assume 
hostilities  if  an  oi)portunity  occurred,  or  if  the  liostiles  then 
at  lar^'e  were  not  bronjj:ht  under  control.  Over  a  vast  area  of 
:Tj  couuti'y  of  ru^'j^'ed  mountains  and  narrow  valleys,  with  water 
only  at  scattered  iK)ints  and  ditlii'ult  to  find  and  obtain, 
roamed  one  of  the  most  desperate,  cruel  and  hardy  bands  of  outlaws  that 
evei"  infested  any  country,  who  were  to  be  hunted  down  and  captured.  A 
few  criminals  will  keep  the  entire  police  force  of  the  jijreat  city  of  liondon 
occui»ie(l  :  and.  as  a  nuitter  of  fact,  it  has  always  been  found  most  difficult 
to  arrest  the  leadei's  in  any  particular  Held  of  crime. 

The  mountain  labyrinths  of  the  Apaches  may  be  compared  to  the 
criminal  dens  and  slums  of  iiondon,  thon<,di  on  an  immensely  jjjreater  scale, 
a 'id  the  outlaws  to  be  tracked  and  subdued,  for  cunnin^^  strength  and 
ferocity  have  never  been  surpassed  in  the  annals  of  either  savage  or  "ivil- 
ized  crime.  A  band  of  Indians  that  had  roamed  over  that  country  for  gen- 
erations believed  themselves  to  be  masters  and  unconquerable,  and  many 
of  the  white  people  livin*;  in  that  country  also  believed  it  to  be  impossible 
to  run  them  down  and  capture  them.  I  was  advised  by  many  well-in- 
formed peoole  of  the  uselessness  of  undertaking  to  subjugate  the  liostiles 
as,  they  stated,  it  had  been  tried  for  so  many  years  without  success. 
"Those  Indians  could  go  over  mountain  country  better  than  white  men;" 
^'they  could  signal  from  one  mountain  range  to  anotlier;"  "they  could 


-  ~-^.^' 


I'll    MCt'KHM 
\»IIINtl- 


tod  itself 
s  in  Now 
w  pouco- 
Mit  triht's 

0  iissiiuio 
:il(\s  then 
-it  area  (»f 
itli  water 

1  obtain, 
aws  that 
nred.     A 

London 
diHieult 

d  to  the 
ter  si'ale, 
n<;th  and 
or  "ivil- 
;  for  gen- 
md  many 
npossihie 
well-in- 
liostiles 
;  success. 
;e  men;" 
ey  could 


(;knki{.\I-  .\KI,.^().\  .\.  MII.KS. 


481 


con.'eal  themselves;"  and  "when  they  turned  upon  tiu'ir  enemy  thoy  wero 
utterly  ruthless  and  cruel." 

[  listened  to  all  this  with  a  .le}.M'ee  of  patienc(>.  and  the  only  reply  that 
su^'i^'ested  its(df  was  that  tliou}ih  all  that  was  sai  !  jihout  theirskill  and  enter- 
prise and  ener^'y  was  true,  yet  with  our  superior  intelligence  and  nuxlern 
ajipliances  w<>  (Ui^dit  and  would  lie  aide  to  counteract.  e(|ual,  (U'  surpa.Ms  all 
the  advanta^'es  possessed  hy  thesa\a^'es.  .\stothe  rapidity  of  theii"  move- 
ment's, w(>  had  the  power  of  steam  to  aid  us  in  uiovin;^'  troops,  munitions 
and  provisi(His.  and  the  t«de^'ra|ih  for  commiiiiication.  As  to  (heir  heinj; 
aide  to  signal  l»y  the  use  of  lire  and  smoke  and  the  tiashes  n\  scune  hri^'Ut 
piece  (d'  nu'tal  fora  short  distance.  I  thou^dit  we  could  m»t  only  eipuil,  hut 
far  surpass  them  in  a  short  tinu'. 

1  ha«l  it  in  my  mind  to  utili/e  I'oi- our  Itenelit  and  their  discomfiture, 
the  very  eleuients  that  had  lieeii  the  ^'reatest  ol»sta(des  in  that  whole 
C(Mnitry  to  their  suhjupition.  namely,  the  hi^di  i;;ountain  ran^'es.  the  },'lar- 
in<;.  hurnin^  sunlifjht,  and  an  atmosphere  void  of  nudsture.  !  therefore 
reipiested  the  (dii(»f  si^'ual  <dlicer  at  Washin^'ton.  (Jeueral  ila/en.  t(»  send 
nu'  a  <'orps  of  skilled  oHiccrs  and  men.  and  the  hest  iiistrunuuits  and 
appliances  that  \ver(»  attainalde.  I  also  directed  my  en<,'ineer  ollicer  to 
block  out  the  country  in  sucdi  a  way  that  we  mi^dit  establish  a  network  of 
point.s  of  observati(m  and  communication  over  that  entire  comitry.  I'ost.s 
were  ostablished  over  the  c(uintry  most  freipiented  by  the  Apa<du':;.  a  di's- 
trict  some  two  hundred  miles  wide  by  three  hundred  miles  lonj.;.  north  and 
south.  On  the  hi^di  nu»untain  peaks  cd'  this  re;,Mon.  I  posted  stroujjf  j^uards 
of  infantry  supplied  with  casks  of  water  an<l  provisions  enough  to  last 
them  for  thirty  days  in  case  of  sie^'O.  They  were  provided  with  the  best 
field  plas.ses  and  telescopes  that  could  be  obtained,  and  also  with  the  best 
heliostats. 

The  heliostat  is  a  little  invention  of  an  Kn<;lish  oflicer  wliicdi  had  been 
used  in  India  many  years  before.  ^ly  attention  was  first  directed  to  it 
nearly  twenty  years  a^'o  when  in  the  oflice  of  the  (diief  si^'ual  oflicer  of  the 
army,  (Jeneral  Myer.  who  then  had  six  of  these  instruments.  As  they  were 
not  beinj(  used.  T  su^^ested  that  he  send  them  to  me  at  the  cant(mment  on 
the  Yellowstone,  now  Fort  Keo<;h,  Montana,  and  I  there  established  the  fir.st 
line  in  this  country,  from  Fort  Keo«?h  to  Fort  Custer.  I  afterward  used 
them  experimentally  in  the  Department  of  the  ('(dumbia  between  Van- 
couver Barracks  and  Mount  Hood  a  distance  in  an  air  line  of  fifty  miles.  I 
now  determined  to  test  them  t<>  their  full  extent  and  make  practical  use 
of  them  in  the  Department  of  Arizona. 


■<  > 


i  ;i 


|i' 


I 


t      ! 


i     i 


482 


PERSONAL  RECOLLKCTIONS  OF 


I  was  much  ^ratiHed  to  rocrive  the  hearty  support  of  General  Hazen  in 
sending  me  skilled  men  ;  and  within  a  short  time  these  stations  were  tixed 
on  the  hi^di  mountain  peaks.  It  was  nMuarkahle  what  advantage  they  jj^ave 
us  in  ohservinj^'  the  movements  of  the  Indians  or  of  thetrooi)s  in  the  valleys 
below,  and  in  rei)orting  it  i»romi)tly  to  the  <'entral  station  or  headquarters; 
also  in  communicating  with  the  various  commands,  posts  and  stations  in 
the  field.  At  one  time,  when  the  system  was  in  full  operation,  to  test  its 
etliciency  a  message  of  twenty-live  words  was  sent  from  the  extreme 
eastern  to  the  extreme  western  station,  over  a  zigzag  course  of  tour  hun- 
dred miles,  and  the  answer  was  received  in  four  hours,  the  total  distance 
traversed  being  about  eight  hundred  miles.  Between  these  two  points  for 
a  part  of  the   distance   there   was   telegraphic   communication,   yet   the 


II  i;i.i(i(ii!  \i'ii   Si' A  rioN. 


message  could  not  have  been  sent  by  telegi-aph  and  coui-ier  and  answer 
received  as  (piickly  as  it  was  by  this  method. 

The  importance  of  the  work  done  by  the  heliostat  in  the  Apache  campaign 
makes  it  worthy  of  a  more  extended  notice  than  has  as  yet  been  acct)rded 
it.  The  method  of  signaling  by  it  is  very  simple.  By  alternately  inter- 
posing and  removing  some  object  in  front  of  the  mirror  which  forms  the 
principal  part  of  th(^  insti'ument,  long  or  short  flashes  of  light  are  nuide 
which  indicate  words  and  letters  to  the  eye  in  the  same  way  the  telegraph 
indicates  them  to  the  ear.  The  mirrors  are  usually  mounted  on  a  tripod. 
and  the  distance  through  which  this  method  of  communication  may  be 
carried  depends  on  the  clearness  of  the  atmosphere  and  the  size  of  the 
mirrors. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  cami)aign.  Lieutenant  A.M.Fullerof  the  Second 
Cavalry  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  division  of  Arizona,  and  Lieutenant  E. 
E.  Dravo  of  the  Sixth  Cavalry,  in  charge  of  the  division  of  New  Mexico  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  heliograph  stations  at  suitable  points,  and  the 


Hazen  in 
vere  Hxed 
the}'  ji^ave 
lie  valleys 
Iquarters: 
atioiis  in 
()  test  its 

extreme 
four  Inin- 

distance 
points  for 

vet   the 


id  answer 

L'ainpaign 
accorded 
sly  inter- 
orins  the 
are  made 
telegraph 
a  tripod, 
n  may  l)e 
ize  of  the 

le  Second 

tenant  E. 

exico  for 

and  the 


(JKXEHAL  NKLSOX  A.   MILES. 


4S3 


success  of  the  system  was  larj^'ely  due  to  the  able  and  judicious  manner 
in  which  these  otticers  perfornuHl  their  duties.  The  stations  were  generally 
situated  on  high  mountains,  some  of  them  being  six  or  seven  thousand  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea.  They  were  manned  by  two  or  three  operators 
according  to  the  amount  of  work  to  be  done,  and  were  usually  ]n-ovided 
with  from  one  to  live  guards,  according  to  \\w  dangers  of  the  situation. 
Couriers  were  also  furnished  wherever  needed.  Sometimes  it  was  neces- 
sary to  establish  these  stations  a  mile  or  two  from  water,  whi(di  in  that 
case  was  lu'onght  to  them  on  the  backs  of  mules.  Hations  were  usually 
supplied  l)y  the  month  from  the  most  convenient  military  post. 

Besides  the  heliograph.;  these  stations  were  fitted  out  with  field  glasses, 
and  usually  also  with  a  t«descoi)e,  and  all  day  long  the  lookout  scanned  the 
country  for  signals  from  undeteriuined  ])oiuts.  Whenever  poss'ble  the 
station  was  so  situated  as  to  afford  a  dark  background,  as  it  was  found  that 
a  Ha.-^i  from  such  a  station  couhl  be  much  nioi'e  easily  seen  than  from  one 
where  the  sky  formed  the  only  background. 

In  the  division  of  Xew  ]\lexico  thei'e  wcm'c  thirteen  of  these  stations, 
and  in  that  of  Arizona  there  were  fourt(HMi.  The  work  was  systematized 
from  the  very  beginning.  All  details,  changes  and  instructions  were  made 
))y  regular  orders,  and  each  station  was  provided  with  the  necessary  mate- 
rial for  keeping  records.  AWndvly  rejiorts  were  rendered  by  each  station 
as  to  the  number  of  messages  sent  and  receivinl,  and  weekly  reports  of  the 
weather  were  also  required.  As  the  number  of  members  of  the  signal 
corps  was  limited,  much  work  was  })erforined  by  enlist<»d  men,  who  proved 
themselves  to  be  very  intelligent  and  apt.  some  of  them  l)eiug  competent 
to  go  on  a  station  after  but  two  weeks'  instruction.  Naturally,  telegraph 
operators  found  it  much  easier  to  learn  the  system  than  others  did. 

Some  of  these  stations  communicated  with  but  one  other,  while  some 
communicated  with  as  many  as  five,  as  in  the  case  of  the  one  at  liowie 
Peak,  Arizona  Territory,  or  the  one  at  the  extreme  northern  point  of  the 
Swisshelm  ^lountains.  The  average  distance  between  thesi^  stations  was 
in  a  direct  line  about  twenty-five  miles,  but  Fort  liiiachuea,  which  com- 
municated with  three  other  stations,  was  thirty-one  miles  distant  from  the 
nearest. 

In  the  division  ot  Arizona  the  total  number  of  messages  sent  from  May 
1.  18S().  to  September  80.  of  the  same  year  was  'J.*J()4.  The  greatest  number 
of  messages  from  one  station  (SO-J)  was  from  Fort  Bowie,  and  the  next 
greatest  numbers  (284  and  "241)  were  from  the  stations  at  liucker  Canon 
and  at  Antelope  Springs,  near  the  south  end  of  the  Dragoon  Mountains. 


rl  . 


?  ; 


:!.    fcf 


:     t 


i^« 


(t.      .' 


•]i    ,,> 


U   5 


{    ' 


484 


PERSONAL  IIECOLLECTIONS  OF 


M 


1 1 


'n  \ 


GENEUAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


485 


From  Cochise's  stronghold  on  the  west  side  of  the  Dnijjoon  ^Fountains, 
there  were  only  eighteen  messages  sent,  though  this  station  repeated  one 
hundred  and  twenty-tive  messages.  The  station  at  Bowie  Peak  repeated 
1,644  mes.sages,  and  the  whole  numhei  of  messages  repeated  was  4,4(kJ. 
The  average  number  of  words  contained  in  these  messages  was  about 
tifty,  though  there  were  cases  where  there  were  more  than  two  hundred. 

The  country  was  sul)divided  into  districts  of  observation,  and  efich 
district  was  occupied  Ijy  an  etlicient  command  fully  supidied  with  trans- 
portation, field  equipment,  guides,  scouts,  trailers,  etc.,  and  Captain  Thomp- 
son, of  the  Fourth  Cavalry,  an  experienced  and  efficient  officer,  was  ap- 
pointed adjutant-general  in  the  field. 

For  the  instruction  of  the  troops  in  the  department.  I  issued  the  fol- 
lowing orders : 

HKAiKiiAinKus  Dki'aktmknt  Akizona,   In    ihk  Fiki.d,      ) 
FoKT  BowiK.  A.  T.,  April  ','(),  1S80.    \ 
General  Field  Owdeks  No.  7. 

Tlie  following  instructions  are  issued  for  the  infonnation  and  ijcuidanee  of  troojts  serv- 
inif  in  the  southern  portions  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

The  chief  object  of  the  troops  will  be  to  capture  or  destroy  any  band  of  hostile  Apache 
Indians  found  in  this  section  of  country  ;  and  to  this  end  the  most  viirorous  and  j)ersistent 
efforts  will  be  re(iuired  of  all  oflici   s  and  soldiers  until  the  object  is  accomplished. 

To  better  facilitate  this  duty  and  afford  as  far  as  practicable  ]>rotection  to  the  scattered 
settlements,  the  territory  is  subdivided  into  Districts  of  ( )bservation  as  shown  upon  maps 
furnished  by  the  dej)artment  engineer  olRcer.  and  these  will  be  placed  under  command- 
iuiT  officers  to  be  hereafter  desiirnated. 

Each  command  will  have  a  sufficient  number  of  troops  and  the  necessary  transporta- 
tion to  thoroughly  examine  the  district  of  country  to  which  it  is  assiiriied,  and  will  be  ex- 
pected to  keep  such  section  clear  of  hostile  Indians. 

The  sijj^nal  detachments  will  be  placed  upon  thehii;hest  ])eaks  and  ]>rominent  lookouts 
to  discover  any  movements  of  Indians  and  to  transmit  messages  between  the  different 
caray)S. 

The  infantry  will  be  used  in  hunting  through  the  groups  and  rantres  of  mountains,  the 
resorts  of  the  Indians,  occupying  the  important  jtasses  in  the  mountains,  guardiiiir  sup- 
plies, etc. 

A  sufficient  number  of  reliable  Indians  will  be  used  as  auxiliaries  to  discover  any 
sifjns  of  hostile  Indians,  and  as  trailers. 

The  cavalry  will  be  used  in  light  scouting  ]»arties,  with  a  sufficient  force  held  in 
readiness  at  all   times  to  make  the  most  jiersistent  and  effective  pursuit. 

To  avoid  any  advantage  the  Indians  may  have  by  a  relay  of  horses,  where  a  troop  or 
squadron  cor.imander  is  near  the  hostile  Indians  he  will  be  justified  in  dismounting  one- 
half  of  his  command  and  selectinj^  the  liiijhtest  and  best  riders  to  make  pursuit  by  the 
most  vigorous  forced  marches,  until  the  strength  of  all  the  animals  of  his  command  shall 
have  been  exhausted. 


:(i  r 


\ 


!<  ;    ' 


I!; 


\l 


I 


m 


!     I 


if    I 


1 1 


i  I 


n  l^.. 


486 


I'KWSONAL  RKCOLLECTIONH  OK 


In  this  wav  a  t'oniinaDd  sliouUl.  under  a  judicious  leader,  capture  a  hand  of  Indians  or 
drive  tlieni  from  one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  mih's  in  forty-eiijflit  liours  tliroui^li 
a  country  favorable  for  cavalry  movements;  and  the  horses  of  the  troops  will  be  trained 
for  this  purpose. 

All  the  coiinnandini,^  odicers  will  make  themselves  thoronuJilv  familiar  with  the  s.ections 
of  country  under  their  charife  and  will  use  every  means  to  i^ive  timely  information  reyard- 
iny  the  movements  of  hostile  Indians  to  their  superiors  or  others  actin^f  in  concert  with 
them,  in  order  that  fresh  troops  may  intercept  the  hostiles  or  take  up  the  pursuit. 

Commandiiii''  oflicei-s  are  expected  to  continue  a  pursuit  until  capture,  or  until  they  are 
assured  a  fresli  (rouniiand   is  on  the  trail. 

All  camps  and  movements  of  tr()o])s  will  be  concealed  as  far  as  possible,  and  every 
effv)rt  will  be  made  at  all  times  by  the  troops  to  discover  hostile  Indians  before  bein*''  seen 
by  them. 

To  avoid  ammunition  ifettino;  into  the  hands  of  the  hostile  Indians  every  cartridjife  will 
be  ri<(idlv  accounted  for,  and  when  they  are  used  in  the  Held  the  empty  shells  will  be 
effectuallv  destroyed. 

Friendly  relations  will  be  encourayt'd  between  the  troops  and  citizens  of  the  countrv. 
and  all  facilities  rendered  for  the  prompt  interchan«re  of  relialjje  information  reifardin<{ 
the  movements  of  hostile  Indians. 

Field  reports  will  be  made  on  the  tenth,  twentietl'.  and  thirtieth  of  each  month,  jrivintf 
the  exai't  location  of  troops  and   the  strength  and  condition  of  commands. 

liy  command  of  Briiradier-CJeiieral    .Miles: 

AVii.i.iA.M  A.  TuoMi'soN.  Captain  Foiutli  Cavalry,  A.  A.  A.  G. 

In  making  these  dispositions  the  argument  in  my  mind  was  that  no 
human  being  and  no  wild  animal  could  endure  being  hunted  persistently 
without  eventually  being  subjugated.  Therefore  in  establishing  these 
districts  of  observation,  and  making  each  one  of  them  untenable,  I  believed 
that  it  would  also  be  necessary  to  have  a  force  to  continue  the  pursuit 
when  the  Indians  should  retreat  south  of  the  ^lexican  l)oundary.  At  that 
time  our  government  had  a  treaty  with  the  Mexican  government  by  which 
our  forces  were  autliorized  to  follow  the  trail  of  the  hostile  Indians  or 
continue  the  pursuit  in  their  territory,  and  that  they  would  afford  us  what- 
ever facilities  they  could  in  the  way  of  information  and  assistance  against 
these  hostiles. 

For  some  time  I  was  undecided  as  to  the  personnel  of  this  pursuing  com- 
mand. I  visited  several  military  posts  —  Fort  Bowie.  Fort  Grant,  Fort 
Huachuca  and  other  stations.  —  before  I  fully  made  up  my  mind  as  to  the 
officers  and  men  I  should  choose  to  constitute  such  a  force.  At  length 
I  selected  from  Fort  Huachuca  an  officer  by  the  name  of  Captain  H.  \V. 
Lawton,  Fourth  United  States  Cavalry,  who.  I  thought,  would  fulfill  all  the 
requirements  as  commander.  First  of  all.  because  he  believed  that  these 
Indians  cou/J  be  subjugated.     Officers  who  do  not  believe  in  success  and 


GENEUAL  NELSON  A.   MILES. 


4S7 


Iiuliiins  or 
rs  tlirouyli 
be  trained 

ho  f-ections 

on  roifiird- 

)ncert  with 

it. 

til  they  are 

and  every 
bein«if  seen 

■trid<;e  will 
(lis  will  be 

le  country, 
i  retTiirdinif 

nth.  fjcivinij 


A.  G. 

that  no 

sistently 

iig  tlie>:e 

believed 

pur.suit 

At  thjit 
jy  which 
idiaii.s  or 
us  what- 

against 

ing  com- 
Liit,  Fort 
as  to  the 
t  length 
n  H.  W. 
11  all  the 
lat  these 
cess  and 


are  always  ready  to  show  how  a  thing  cannot  be  done  and  give  labored  and 
logical  reasons  and  arguments  why  it  would  be  useless  to  attempt  to 
accomplish  a  purpose,  as  a  rule  are  not  the  kind  of  men  to  be  selected  for 
any  hazardous  enterprise.  While  some  men  may  be  over  zealous  and 
unduly  confident,  yet  where  you  find  a  man  of  sterling  ability  and  clear 
strong  will  power  who  believes  that  a  thing  can  be  accomplished,  the 
chances  are  that,  given  an  opportunity,  he  will  be  more  likely  to  succeed 
than  one  who  has  no  faith  in  what  he  may  be  called  upon  to  do.  or  re- 
(i[uired  to  undertake. 

Captain  Lavvton  was  of  that  class  who  believed  that  tlie  Indians  could 
be  overcome.  Although  he  recognized  the  r  great  skill,  cunning  and  i)hys- 
ical  strength,  he  believed  they  could  be  met  and  defeated  l)y  studying  and 
improving  upon  their  own  methods.  He  had  nuide  himself  a  splendid 
record  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  had  also  a  hue  record  on  the 
frontier,  had  been  one  of  General  Macken/ie's  most  zeah)us  supporters, 
and  possessed  all  the  e.\i)erience  necessary  to  the  couunand  of  such  a  force. 
He  was  phy.sically.  perhaps,  as  tine  a  specimen  of  a  man  as  could  •  'ound. 
He  weighed  at  that  time  two  hundred  and  thii-ty  pounds,  was  \^'ell  |u-()- 
portioned.  straight,  active,  agile,  full  of  energy,  stood  mx  feet  five  inches 
in  height  and  was  without  a  superfluous  piunid  of  flesh.  His  bone,  muscle, 
sinew  and  nerve  power  was  of  the  finest  texture.  It  was  said  that  he  could  at 
that  time  take  up  an  ordinary  man  and  throw  him  a  rod.  A  giant  in  stature, 
he  hud  a  bright  handsome  face,  and  was  in  the  prime  of  life.  1  informed 
him  of  what  1  desired  and  he  was  delighted  at  the  opportunity  for  making 
the  effort  and  undertaking  the  enterpri.se.  although  it  involved  hardshi[)  and 
lal)or  and  required  reckless  courage  to  meet  the  dangers  to  be  en('ount<M'ed. 

1  also  found  at  Fort  Huachuca  another  splendid  type  of  American  man- 
hood, Captain  Leonard  Wood,  Assistant  Surgeon.  Fnited  States  Army.  He 
was  a  young  officer  aged  twenty-four,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  a  grad- 
uate of  Harvard,  a  fair-haired,  blue-eyed  young  man  of  great  intelligence, 
sterling,  manly  (puilities.  and  resolute  spirit.  Wo  was  also  pei'haps  as 
fine  a  specimen  of  physical  strength  and  endurance  as  could  easily  be 
found.  He  had  a  perfect  knowledge  of  anatomy  and  had  utilized  this 
knowledge  of  physiology  in  training  himself  and  bringing  every  part  of 
his  physique  to  its  highest  perfection,  and  .^eemed  to  have  the  will  power 
and  energy  to  keep  his  own  physical  mechanism  in  perfect  condition  and 
activity.     I  said  to  him  ; 

"We  have  heard  much  said  about  the  physical  strength  and  endurance 
of  these  Apache   Indians,  these    natives  of  the  desert  and  mountain.     1 


» 


I   : 

iiii 


I  ■ 


>.-i 


I        !i 


'I 


48S 


I'KKSOXAL  KKCOLLKCTIONS  OF 


would  like  to  have  yon  accompany  Captain  Tiawton's  command,  and  as  you 
are  i)roltal)ly  in  as  good  a  condition  as  anyone  to  endure  what  they  endure, 
you  can  nuike  a  careful  study  of  the  Indians  at  every  opportunity  and 
discover  wherein  lies  their  superiority,  if  it  does  exist,  and  whether  it  is 
hereditary,  and  if  hereditary,  whether  the  fiber  nnd  sinew  and  nerve 
lH)wer  is  of  a  finer  tiuality,  and  whether  their  lungs  are  really  of  greater 
development  and  capacity  to  endure  the  exertion  of  climbing  these 
mountains  than  those  of  our  best  men." 

Captain  Wood  entered  into  the  spirit  of  this  nntst  heartily,  and  his  serv- 
ices and  observations  and  example  were  most  commendable  and  valuable 
and  added  much  to  the  final  success  of  the  enterprise. 

The  otherofficers  of  the  command  were  selected  for  similar  considerations. 

Captain  Lawton's  picked  infantry,  Indian  scouts  and  cavalry  were  at 
times  under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenants  Henry  Johnson,  Jr.. 
Eighth  Infantry,  H.  C.  Benton.  K.  A.  Brown,  B.  S.  Walsh  and  A.  L.  Smith, 
Fourth  Cavalry,  and  Leighton  Finley,  Tenth  Cavalry.  Lieutenant  Finley, 
now  dead,  rendered  very  efficient  service  in  command  of  the  scouts  during 
the  first  two  months  of  the  campaign.  He  was  a  gallant  officer  and  had 
distinguished  himself  the  preceding  year  (l.SSo)  in  an  affray  with  the  hostiles 
in  Arizona  during  an  attack  which  they  had  made  upon  a  command  to 
which  he  was  attached.  Lieutenant  Brown  commanded  the  scouts  dur- 
ing the  last  two  months  of  the  pursuit  and  rendered  valuable  service. 
They  are  all  entitled  to  great  credit  for  the  zeal,  judgment  and  fidelity 
with  which  they  carried  out  his  instructions. 

The  soldiers  of  this  command  were  also  carefully  selected  and  I  doubt 
whether  there  was  ever  a  finer  collection  of  men  and  officers,  for  the  number, 
gathered  in  one  command.  It  was  a  question  of  Hdelity,  of  endurance,  of 
tenacity  of  purpose ;  for  when  the  troops  north  of  the  boundary  had 
driven  the  hostiles  over  the  border,  this  command  was  expected  to  take 
up  the  chase  and  continue  it  until  the  hostiles  were  either  worn  down  and 
l)rought  to  bay.  or  driven  back  again  to  our  territory.  Well  did  they 
accomplish  this  duty,  as  will  be  seen  by  every  reader  who  follows  to  the 
end  the  narrative  of  this  five  months'  campaign. 

The  command  was  perfectly  equipped  and  abundantly  supplied,  and  in 
such  a  way  as  to  be  independent  of  wagon  transportation.  The  pack-train 
was  the  best  in  the  country,  and,  in  addition  to  the  supplies  carried  by  it. 
T  moved  by  trains  down  the  valleys  practicable  for  wagons,  abundant 
supplies,  in  order  that  this  movable  command  could  have  a  movable  base 
for  their  stores  and  military  supplies. 


d  as  yon 
•  endure, 
lity  ami 
her  it  is 
d  nerve 
greater 
tliese 


»g 


his  serv- 
valuable 

p  rations. 

were  at 
ison,  Jr., 
J.  Smith, 
t  Finley, 
s  durintr 
and  had 

hostiles 
inand  to 
uts  dur- 

service. 

fidelity 

1  doubt 
number, 
ance.  of 
iry  had 
to  take 
)wn  and 
id  they 
to  the 

and  in 
!k-train 
by  it. 
(undant 
)le  base 


(;knhh.\l  nklson  a.  mii.hs. 


4S1) 


IJefore  we  were  fairly  r«'ady  the  hostiles  tiieniselves  precipitated  the 
canipaifjfu.  They  could  have  (piietly  reuuiined  in  their  Uiountaiii  fastnesses 
in  the  Sierra  .\hidi'es  and  forced  us  to  hunt  them.  whi<'h  mij^'ht  have  con- 
sumed from  twelve  months  to  two  years,  hut  witli  reckless  bravado  they 
opened  the  campaigu  by  committiuf^  depredations  south  of  the  bouudary 
in  northern  Mexico.  This  was  to  us  a  welcome  sijjjnal.  for  it  ^^ave  iis  a 
positive  knowledge  of  their  wlierea bouts,  and  enabled  me  to  immediately 
put  my  plans  into  effect  and  initiate  the  operations  1  had  bloclvetl  out  for 
their  subjnjj^ation. 

The  hostiles  were  under  the  leadersbi})  of  the  chiefs  (leronimo  and 
Natchez,  the  last  named  being  the  h(>reditary  chief  of  the  (.'hiricahuas,  and 
their  raid  spread  terror 
throughout  that  district  of 
Mexico.  They  then  swept 
northward,  and  on  the  'JTth  of 
April  invaded  our  territoi-y, 
passing  up  the  Santa  Cruz  Val- 
ley, stealing  stock  and  killing 
a  few  citizens,  including  the 
Peck  family.  Of  this  family 
the  mother  and  one  child  were 
murdered,  and  a  girl,  some  ten 
years  of  age.  Avas  captured  and 
subseciuently  recaptured  by 
the  ti'oops.     The  Indians,  dis-  Moint.mn  f.\stm:ks—('u< disk's  Stku.\(;ii(ii.i>. 

regarding  their  usual  custom,  released  the  father  after  holding  him  in 
captivity  for  several  hours. 

Although  at  this  time  they  struck  a  section  of  country  fui-ther  west  than 
they  had  appeared  in  for  many  years,  yet  Captain  T  C.  iielx).  an  energetic 
officer,  and  almost  an  ideal  leader  for  such  service,  with  his  trooi».  Tenth 
Cavalry,  was  quickly  on  the  trail,  and  altera  hot  pursuit  of  two  hundivd 
miles  brought  the  Indians  to  bay  in  the  Pinito  Mountains,  some  thirty  miles 
south  of  the  boundary  in  Sonora.  Mexico  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  was 
obliged  to  meet  the  enemy  on  ground  of  th(nr  own  choosing,  and  with  every 
natural  obstacle  against  him.  this  oflicer  made  a  good  fight,  and  while  he 
sustained  very  little  loss  himself,  inflicted  considerable  ui»on  his  opponents. 
During  this  fight  a  brave  soldier.  <  orporal  Scott,  was  so  severely  wounded 
as  to  be  completely  disabled.  As  he  lay  on  the  ground  under  a  sharp  tire 
from  the  Indians.   Lieutenant  Powhatan  H.  Clarke,  a  gallant  young  ofiicer 


i '  I 


i  ■  i  I 


it  I 


I!. 


if 


II 


1  ii 


iii 

;  1  i! 

■  i  '■ 


4i)() 


I'KHSONAI.  I.'KCOLLECTIONS  OF 


fresh  from  West  I'oint.  diislu'd  forward  to  the  rescue  of  the  disabled 
soldier,  and  at  tlie  iuiinineiit  peril  of  his  own  life,  lifted  and  carried  the 
veteran  to  a  place  of  safety.  Though  kiii<;hts  clad  in  armor  have  lon^' 
since  faded  awiiy  into  the  dim  past,  and  the  clash  of  sword  on  shield  is 
heard  no  more,  with  deeds  like  this  before  us  who  shall  say  that  the  days 
of  chivalry  are  no  more.'  We  could  write  a  volume  describing  the 
heroism  of  this  s[dendid  youny  otiicer  previous  to  his  untimely  death,  but 
must  pass  (m  to  other  events  and  heroic  deeds. 

After  this  en^^a^'ement  the  Indians  continued  their  retreat,  and  the  trail 
was  soon  after  taken  u\)  by  Lieutenant  11.  ('.  Benson  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry. 
They  were  then  pursued  south  and  west,  until  their  trail  was  a^'ain  taken 
up  by  Lebo's  command,  and  later  by  that  of  Captain  liawton.  The  com- 
mand of  Cai)tain  C.  A.  1*.  llatlleld.  Fourth  Cavalry,  had  been  placed  to 
intercept  them,  east  of  Santa  Cruz,  Sonora,  and  on  the  15th  of  May  suc- 
ceeded in  c()mi)letely  surprisinj^  the  sava^'es  at  tliat  place.  In  the  engage- 
ment which  followed,  the  hostiies  lost  their  cmire  camp  e(piipage  and  about 
twenty  horses,  as  well  as  their  tii-st  deserter,  who,  having  been  wounded 
and  having  had  his  horse  shot  under  him.  crawled  into  the  rocks  and  con- 
tinued his  retreat  for  forty-hve  days,  surrendering  at  last  at  Fort  Apache, 
250  miles  to  the  north,  on  the  "JSth  day  of  -June.  This  man  was  afterward 
of  value  to  us,  as  will  be  explained  when  an  account  is  given  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  Indians,  he  being  used  to  aid  in  opening  communications 
by  which  their  ultimate  surrender  was  ett'ected. 

Cnfortunately  while  passing  west  through  a  deep  and  narrow  canon 
towards  Santa  Cruz,  embarrassed  with  his  captured  horses  and  other  Indian 
proi)erty,  Captain  Hatfield's  command  was  in  turn  attacked  by  the 
hostiies  and  a  sharp  light  ensued.  In  this  tight  there  were  numerous 
instances  of  conspicuous  bravery.  John  H.  Conradi,  one  of  the  soldiers  of 
the  troop,  lay  severely  wounded  on  the  ground,  and  though  unable  to  move 
himself  beyond  the  tire  of  the  Indians,  continued  to  use  his  rifle  with  tell- 
ing effect.  Tw'O  of  his  comrades.  First  Sergeant  Samuel  Adams  and 
citizen  packer  George  Bowman,  seeing  his  heljdess  condition  bravely 
exposed  their  own  lives  in  the  effort  to  reach  him.  But  just  as  they  were 
bearing  him  to  a  place  of  safety  he  received  another  and  this  time  a 
mortal  wound,  thus  meeting  the  very  death  to  save  him  from  which  his 
comrades  had  risked  their  lives.  Many  heroes  have  died,  yet  there  are 
many  still  living. 

After  Hatheld's  tight  Lieutenant  R.  A.  Brown.  Fourth  Cavalry,  struck 
the  trail  and  pursued  the  hostiies  in  an  easterly  direction.     The  Indians 


isiihled 
ed  tho 
e  loiifj 
lieUl  is 
le  days 
ig  the 
.th.  but 

lie  trail 
'avulry. 
1  taker, 
le  coni- 
aced  to 
[ay  snc- 
engage- 
id  about 
rounded 
md  coii- 
Apache. 
terwaid 
the  con- 
ications 

V  canon 
Indian 
l)y   the 
imerous 
Idlers  of 
to  move 
th  ten- 
nis and 
bravely 
ey  Avere 
time  a 
ich  his 
liere  are 

struck 
Indians 


GKNEKAb  NKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


491 


then  divided  into  two  bands.  One.  moving  north,  was  intercepted  l>y 
liieutenant  Brett  of  the  Second  Cavaby.  who  disi»layed  great  energy  and 
determination  in  his  pursuit.  The  liuhans  going  over  the  roughest  moun- 
tains and  breaking  down  one  set  of  hoiscs.  woukl  abandon  them  and  pass 
straight  over  the  highest  ranges  and  descending  to  the  valleys  below 
would  steal  others  and  continue  their  retreat,  while  the  troops  in  order  to 
pursue  them  were  obligt»d  to  send  their  horses  around  the  impassabie 
mountain  heights  and  follow  the  trail  on  foot,  climbing  in  the  ascent  and 
sliding  in  the  descent,  (hi  this  occasion,  at  one  time  the  troops  continued 
the  pursuit  for  twenty-six  hours  without  a  halt,  and  were  without  water 
during  eighteen  hours  in  the  intense  heat  of  that  season.  This  was  the 
second  occasion  in  which  a  part  of  my  commands  were  sutt'ering  so  intensely 
from  thirst — an  agony  fortunately  unknown  to  the  nui.ss  of  mankind  —  that 
the  men  opened  their  veins  to  moisten  their  burjiiug  lips  ^vith  their  own 
blood.  This  band  of  hostiles  under  Natchez  swe})t  north  as  far  as  Fort 
Apache,  then  turned  south  pursued  by  one  commanding  oflicer  after  an- 
other who  took  up  the  pursuit.  The  Indians  were  turned  to  the  south 
again,  and  hnally  recrossed  the  Mexican  l)Ouii(lary. 

The  other  band  was  followed  west  by  Lieutenant  Hrown,  until  their 
trail  was  struck  by  Captain  Lawton.  The  liulians  were  Hrst  driven  north 
and  then  south,  and  in  passing  through  the  I'atagonia  ]\l()untains  were 
intercepted  by  Lieutenant  Walsh,  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry.  He  sur- 
prised their  camp  on  the  evening  of  June  6.  and  captured  nearly  all 
their  animals,  baggage  and  supplies.  The  hostiles  scattered,  and  by  the  time 
the  scouts  could  work  out  the  trail  it  became  too  dark  to  follow.  At 
daylight  the  pursuit  was  again  taken  up  and  carried  on  so  vigorously 
that  the  Indians  were  obliged  to  abandon  all  the  remaining  animals  they 
had  with  them  and  scatter  again  on  foot.  Captain  Lawton.  who  had  mean- 
while joined  this  command,  was  convinced  from  the  fact  that  the  Indians 
had  entirely  disappeared  from  the  border,  and  from  the  direction  in  which 
their  trail  led.  that  at  last  they  were  going  toward  their  stronghold,  the 
Sierra  Madres,  and  a  pursuit  was  at  once  inaugurated  for  a  campaign  in 
those  excessively  rugged  mountains.  The  infantry  command  was  at  this 
time  replaced  by  another  detachment  of  equal  strength  and  with  these 
new  troops  Captain  Lawton  pursued  the  savages  from  one  range  of  moun- 
tains to  another  for  three  months,  sometimes  scaling  peaks  nine  thousand 
or  ten  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea  and  then  again  descending 
into  the  depths  of  the  canons  where  the  heat  was  almost  intolerable. 
During  this  time  the  troops  marched  1,81)()  miles,    ^lost  of  the  country 


f  i^ 


il 


5!n 


¥■ }  i 


!  ■  1.- 


■■'  i! 


4\)'2 


rKUSONAI,  K'KCOI.I.KCTIONS  OK 


hir 


■  >     ■     \ 


Him 


;Si    I 


liii'l  heen  hunied  over  Iraviii^'  no  ^tuss,  iind  Wiitcr  was  so  scjirce  that  the 
troops  fi'tMiiH'iitly  siilTeretl  intensely.  One  portion  of  the  eoninnind  was 
without  food,  with  the  exeeption  of  sncli  j;aine  as  tliey  conid  i\iil.  for  live 
days.  At  one  time  when  ti.e  pack-train  iiad  l>een  dehiyed  by  the  i'oiit;h- 
ness  of  the  trail,  the  troops  were  ohli^ed  to  subsist  on  two  or  three  deer 
killed  by  the  scouts,  and  on  mule  meat  without  salt. 

Sonora.  the  [>art  of  Me.xico  in  which  tlu*  oixMations  of  the  troojfs  were 
now  lieiufjf  carried  on,  is  a  roii^di.  mountainous  country,  presenting'  obsta- 
cles of  an  extremely  serious  nature.  It  is  a  siu'ce.ssion  of  ru^'^'ed  moun- 
tains, broken  here  and  there  by  a  steep  cafuui,  and  producing'  nothing'  but 
a  few  wild  fruits,  cacti,  and  .some  j^ame.  There  is  but  little  water  and 
that  often  of  a  poor  quality,  (irass  is  aluu>st  entirely  wantinj.'  djuiu^' 
the  dry  season. 

This  section  of  country  was  very  thinly  poi)ulated.  but  here  and  tliei'e 
Avould  be  found  a  small  town  built  within  a  walled  (Miclosure.  Inside  this 
wall  were  one  story  adolx*  houses  and  scores  of  childi-en  and  adults 
who  wore  but  little  su[)ertluous  clothing'.  Xothinjjj  could  speak  more 
elo(|uently  of  the  fear  and  di-ead  in  which  the  Mexi<'ans  held  the  Apaches 
than  these  little  walled  towns;  but  in  spite  of  the  many  lessons  they 
had  received,  they  were  .still  poorly  armed  and  in  a  condition  to  full 
ready  victim.s  to  tb.e  hostiles.  The  intelligent  and  liberal  construction 
^iven  by  (lovernor  Louis  K.  TfUT(\s,  of  Sonor.t,  to  the  terms  of  the  com- 
l)act  between  the  "^wr  jj^overnments  was  of  very  ^reat  assistance  to  our 
officers  in  moving  ir()0})s  and  supi)lies  throu}?li  that  portion  of  the  country, 
and  was  acquiesced  in  by  other  Mexican  officials.  Every  assistsi nee  within 
his  personal  a'ld  ollicial  powers  was  rendered  by  the  governor  to  aid  in 
arresting  the  common  enemy  that  had  for  many  yenirs  disturbed  the  peace 
of  the  two  republics. 

During  the  eai'ly  days  of  the  exi)edition  much  of  the  difficult  w(trk 
wa.s  done  by  the  cavalry  in  southern  Arizona  and  northern  Soiiora. 
Forage  could  then  occasionally  be  ol)tained,  but  as  the  mountains  grew 
more  and  more  impassable  that  arm  i)roved  inadequato.  and  the  chief 
dependence  was  necessarily  placed  ui)on  the  infantry.  In  some  of  the 
companies  there  were  men  who  had  seen  service  in  India  and  in  South 
Africa,  and  in  their  opinion  this  campaign  in  Arizona  and  far  down  in 
southern  Sonora  was  the  hardest,  most  exacting  service  they  had  ever 
endured.  The  heat  was  so  intense  at  times  that  the  men  could  not  place 
their  hands  on  the  metal  work  of  their  guns.  Pack-trains  could,  in  the 
middle  of  the  day,  move  only  five  or  six  miles  before  the  animals  became 


liat  tl»e 

LUd    \V!IS 

lor  five 

>|js  wore 
•^  ohstii- 
1  iiiouii- 
lnii<j:  l)ut 
iter  and 


r  dining' 


lid  there 
side  tliis 
[\   udiilts 
Ilk  more 
Apaches 
ous  tliey 
1    to   fail 
struction 
he  com- 
o  to  onr 
country, 
'0  witliin 
o  aid  in 
he  peace 

nit  work 
Sonora. 
ins  grew 
he  chief 
e  of  the 
n  South 
down  in 
lad  ever 
lot  place 
d.  m  the 
■1  became 


CiKNbJIJAI.  .NKI.SON   A.  MII.KS. 


4'.)y 


overheated  and  uiuilde  to  travel.  'I'h(>  food  was  not  what  it  sliould  have 
been  to  sustain  the  strength  and  vitality  of  men  under  longM'ontinued 
fatigue. 

hy  the  ")ti»  of  July  th(»  Indians  had  been  diivcni  south  of  Oposura, 
Mexico.  A  supply  camp  had  been  established  at  that  point,  and  the  com 
nnmd  was  e(|uippe<l  ready  to  continue  ()[>erations.  I'util  now  the  hostiles 
had  been  accustomed  to  separate  into  small  parties  which  would  inak<» 
sudden  and  bloody  raids  u[>on  settlements  when  un»>xpected.  but  after  this 
time  they  were  so  closely  pursued  that  they  could  derive  no  further  bemdit 
from  their  raids,  as  they  were  obliged  to  abandon  their  aninuils  or  (dse 
tight  to  protect  tluun,  whi(di  latter  alternativt^  they  carefully  avoided. 
Sometimes  the  Indians  would  scatter,  but  in  that  case  the  trail  of  a  single 
num  was  followed  until  he  again  joined  the  rest  of  the  baud.  The  march 
WHS  taken  u[)  toward  the  mouth  of  Te|)aclie  Creek  where  it  was  learned 
that  the  hostiles  had  passed,  committing  depi'edations  on  their  way.  ihit 
after  a  couple  of  houi's'  nuirch  in  that  direction  the  connnand  was  over- 
taken by  a  courier  with  the  iid'ormation  that  a  nuin  had  been  wounded  by 
the  Indians  at 'i'onababu  the  evening  before.  Captain  bawton  innnediately 
changed  his  cours(>  and  on  reaching  the  place  discovered  the  trail  of  the 
savages  who  had  been  doing  the  shooting. 

The  sciuits  under  liieutenant  Ihown  were  pushed  ahead  of  the  com- 
mand, and  on  the  I'ith  of  .Inly  a  runner  was  sent  back  to  say  that  the 
Indian  cami)  ^''^^^^  been  discovei'ed.  that  the  scouts  would  attack  it  at  once, 
and  asking  that  the  infantry  be  sent  forwani  to  their  support.  Unfortu- 
nately the  surprise  was  not  an  entire  success  U)Y  the  Indians  escap<>d.  but 
their  aninuils,  camp  eiinipage,  a  laige  amount  of  dried  meat,  and  other 
provisions  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  troo]>s.  The  trail  was  again  followed 
until  sui)plies  were  nearly  exhausted,  when  a  halt  was  reluctantly  called. 
After  a  short  rest  scouts  were  sent  out  to  tliscover  the  whereabouts  of  the 
hostiles,  and  on  the  I8th  of  August  information  was  received  that  they 
were  moving  toward  the  Terras  Mountains.  Captain  Lawton  immediately 
started  to  head  them  off.  and  by  making  foiced  marches  arrived  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Fronteras  on  the  20th,  where  he  learned  that  the  hostiles 
had  communicated  to  the  Mexicans  a  desire  to  surrender. 


•\ 


II 


4.      I| 


.M.--'.i 


4U4 


I'KHSO.NAI,  IfKC'Ol.LKrTlONS  OF 


!' 


•  i      I  !■ 


U'l' 


ClIAlTKIf  XXXVIII. 
TiiK  Ahizona  Camtaion.  11. 

Tin:  (iiEHTiKN  (IF  I{km<'VI\<;  Tin;  Imh  wh  kuom  Aiiizhna — ('ii\«ti,T.\TinNH  WITH  Aiiknth  —  (!ai'Tain 

I'lKKl'K  —  (.'iiI.oNKI.    W.M)i: — DlSfir  \l((iK    OKTIIK  A  I'.U'lli:  ScdITH — ViMITTn  KoKT  Al'ACIIR 

—  TiiK  Ai'i'KAitANii:  Id' TIIK  AttioNCY  Indianh  —  "Tihwin"  —  Skmiinci  a   I'ki.i;- 

UATIOX  To  WAHIIINdTliN  —  TlIK  KkmII.T  —  (  "(IH  UKSIM  INKKNCK  WITH  WaH 

I)KI'.'.HTMK.\T —  KoHT    MaHIon    I  >K«'IIH-:1)  I,' rn.\  AH   I 'I.ACI;  uK 

Co.M'INKMKNT—  I 'KKI'A  K  ATKtNH    AT    FnHT  A  I'ACII  K 

—  Umi\(i  riii:  TiM.iociKArii  Hktwkkn  Wil,- 

I'li.v    \M)  KouT  Ai'Acin: — "A 

Cini'  up  Tin:  Old 

HlAtVK." 

lillil*]  proparations  and  inoNoinonts  woro  in  profjrross  w^iicb  in 
time  were  to  snl)jiij;ate  the  Indians  in  active  hostility,  iiwut 
care  was  taken  to  prevent  tlie  otiier  Indians  at  the  a^'encies 
fi(tni  alTordin^  tliem  any  assistance  in  men.  ninnitions  or 
provisions.  Soon  after  f  assumed  conunand  of  tiiat  depart- 
ment in  April,  iSSIi.  I  l)ecame  convinced  thsit  there  could  1)8 
no  histiu}^  peace  or  permanent  settlenuMit  of  the  chronic  <'on- 
dition  of  warfare  tliat  had  for  many  years  afflicted  the  people  of  the 
territory  now  comprised  in  Arizona.  New  Mexico  and  the  l)orderin^ 
^lexican  States,  until  the  Chiricahuas  and  Warm  Spring  Indians  had 
been  removed  from  that  mountainous  region,  '''''e  trails  they  had 
made  during  past  years  showed  that  their  raids  had  been  from  the 
agencies  through  the  settlements  south  to  old  Mexico,  and  then  back  again 
to  the  same  l)eginning.  Every  few  years  a  new  generation  of  their  i)oys 
and  young  men  had  grown  to  manhood  and  become  full  fledged  warriors 
and  their  only  hope  of  achieving  distinction  according  to  the  traditions, 
practice  and  influence  of  their  fathers,  was  in  committing  acts  of  cruelty 
and  devastation.  All  they  knew  of  their  own  history  appeared  to  be 
confined  to  this  field.  It  was  taught  them  from  their  earliest  infancy  and 
practiced  until  their  old  age. 

Early  in  the  month  of  May.  1  went  as  far  north  as  Fort  Thomas, 
Arizona,  and  there  met  by  appointment  Captain  F.  E.  Pierce,  who  had 
charge  of  the  San  Carlos  agency.     This  officer  has  had  a  most  remarka])le 


kClIK 


shicb  in 

•y.   ^rivat 

a  {policies 

tions  or 

(l(>|iiiri- 

(•(UlUl   1)6 

(iiic  <<)U- 
?  oi'  the 
)()r(leriii^' 
aus    had 
hey   had 
t'l-oni  the 
u'k  a^min 
unr  hoys 
warriors 
L-aditions, 
cruelty 
•ed  to  he 
ancy  and 

Thomas, 

who  had 

niiarkahle 


CiKNKHAL  NKLSCN  A.  MII.KS. 


41).J 


career.  He  cnuiiiianded  a  hri^'ude  diiriii;;  the  war  with  (iistinctiou.  lost  an 
eye  iu  the  service,  unil  was  a  must  earnest  and  zealous  otlicer.  lie  had 
char).'e  of  some  of  the  worst  Indians  in  the  country.  Thrrc  ditlerent  trihes 
were  h»cated  at  the  San  Carlos  a^'cnry  (the  San('arh»s,  the  Yiimas.  and  the 
Mohavcsl,  and  as  they  were  friendly  to  the  Chirit-ahnas  and  Warm  Spriii)^' 
Imliaii^.  one  of  my  ohjects  in  piin^'  there  and  nieetiiij.;  Captain  Pierce  was 
to  make  all  the  arranjjt'ments  pttssihie  to  keep  these  Indians  from  jc  iiiin^' 
the  hostiles,  and  to  prevent  them  from  ^'ivin}^' assistance  to  those  who  were 
tlien  out.  I  also  met  Colonel  J.  F.  Wade  who  was  then  commandinj;  at 
Fort  Apaclse.  lioth  (»f  these  otlicers  were  directed  to  nse  every  means 
possihle  to  prevent  any  commnnicati(»n  hetween  the  hostile>  and  the 
Indians  untler  their  (diar^'e.  Colonel  Wade  was  also  directed  to.  as  far  as 
po>sil)le,  hrin^'  the  Chiricahna  and  Warm  Sprin;,'  Inrlians  entirely  nndcM'  his 
control,  so  that  they  coidd  he  removed  from  the  Territory  if  it  hecamo 
necessary.  I  informed  him  at  that  time  that  I  helieved  snch  a  measure 
was  the  only  means  of  hrin^dnj^' ahout  a  permanent  peace,  and  that  I  would 
sometime  in  the  near  future  send  him  an  ordei-  to  remove  them  from  the 
country.  Cai)tain  Pierce,  who  as  I  have  stated,  had  char^'<'  of  the  San 
Carlos  Indians,  fully  a^'re«Hl  with  me  on  this  suhject  and  actively  coo[»er- 
ated  in  the  enterprise.  The  conversation  was  to  he  considered  strictly 
confidential. 

Previous  to  my  takinjj  command  of  the  deiiartment  a  lar^e  nund)er  of 
Apache  scouts  had  heen  employed  for  the  purpose  of  huntinji:  the  hostile 
Apaches.  I  had  no  confidence  in  their  intejjrity  and  did  m>t  helieve  they 
could  he  trusted.  1  helieved  that  they  weie  naturally  more  friendly  to 
their  own  hlo(>d  relatives  than  they  could  he  to  our  service,  and  took 
measures  to  have  nearly  all  of  them  dischar^'ed.  In  their  stead  I  hired 
other  Indians  who  were  more  hostile  to  the  Chiricahna  A])aches.  What 
few  scouts  were  with  the  troops  we  used  principally  as  trailers. 

In  July,  while  the  troops  were  actively  employed  in  pursuing;  the  hos- 
tile Indians,  a  chase  which  had  then  heen  (►n  for  several  months.  I  turned 
my  attention  to  the  serious  (juestion  of  the  final  disposition  to  he  made  of 
the  Apaches,  and  determined  to  visit  Fort  \pache  in  i)erson  and  nnike  an 
examination  of  affairs  at  that  a<;ency.  In  order  that  there  nii^dit  he  per- 
fect harmony  hetween  the  military  department  and  the  Department  oi 
the  Interior.  1  wrote  to  ]\Ir.  L.  Q.  C.  Lamar,  Jr..  a  special  a^^ent  of  the 
Interior  Department,  whose  father,  the  then  Secretary  of  the  Interior.  I 
knew  personally,  asking  him  to  accompany  me  to  Fort  A])ache.  We  met 
at  Albuquerque,  New  Mexico,  and  w  itli  my  aid-de-camp  Lieutenant  Dapray, 


i  *f  •   '' 


I 


nr^ 


A% 


PKRSOXAf.  KKCOr.LKCTIOXS  OF 


t  i 


thence  journeyed  west  to«^ether  to  Holhrook.  Arizonu,  and  from  there  to 
Fort  Apache.  This  hist  named  post  is  situated  in  tlie  White  Mountains, 
in  a  beautiful  and  picturescpie  country  of  lofty  mountains,  i)ine  and  cedar 
forests,  and  near  a  ^reat  rushing'.  roarin<^  mountain  river  full  of  trout.  The 
country  teemed  with  an  abundance  of  game  —  bear,  deer,  antelope,  wild 
turkeys  and  small  f^anie. 

1  found  at  Fort  Apache  over  four  hundred  men,  women  and  children, 


l)m\Ki:\  Indians  in  Camp. 

belonging  to  the  C'hiricahua  and  Warm  Spring  Indians,  and  a  more  turbu- 
lent, ciesperate.  disreputal)le  band  of  human  beings  I  had  never  seen  be- 
fore and  hope  never  to  see  again.  'J'he  Apaches  on  this  reservation  were 
called  prisoners  of  war,  yet  they  had  never  been  disarmed  or  dismounted. 
Some  of  them  had  a  little  land  under  cultivation  on  which  they  raised  bar- 
ley, out  of  which  they  manufactured  "  tiswin."  a  most  intoxicating  li(pu)r. 
which  has  the  peculiar  characteristic  of  rousing  all  that  is  tnr'nulent  and 


1  1. 


there  to 
uutiiius. 
id  cedar 
it.  The 
\)G,  ^viUi 

chiUlren, 


^;^ 


> 


ore  tur))U- 
er  seen  be- 
at ion  were 
ismounted. 
raised  ))ar- 
iii<j[  li(iiK)r. 
i>ulent  and 


(JENKlfAI,  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


4t)7 


vicious  in  the  individual  who  h  'd  been  inibibinjj::  and  the  more  barley  they 
raised  the  more  tiswin  riot  occurred.  When  I  visited  their  camp  they 
were  having  their  drunken  orgies  every  nij;ht,  and  it  was  a  perfect  pande- 
monium. It  was  dan*;erous  to  go  near  them,  as  tliey  were  constantly 
discharging  i)istols  and  rities.  Theamount  of  land  they  had  under  cultiva- 
tion in  ISSC)  was  altogether  only  about  a  hundred  acres.  The  women  did 
nearly  all  the  work,  though  a  few  men  condescended  occasionally  to  as- 
sist. One  of  the  most  i)rominent  among  the  Indians  was  Cliatto,  who  at 
one  time  had  led  what  was,  perhaps,  the  bloodiest  raid  ever  made  in  that 
country.  The  young  men  were  insolent,  violent  and  restless,  and  anxious 
to  go  on  the  warpath.  They  emi)loyed  their  time  in  riding  about  the 
camp  with  tirearms,  to  the  terror  of  everyone  with  whom  they  came  in 
contact.  The  people  of  Arizona  had  fre(piently  sent  strong  j)etitions  to 
Washington  praying  that  these  Indians  might  be  removed  from  that  Ter- 
ritory, and  at  the  time  I  now  write  of  1  received  reliable  intonuation  that 
another  outbreak  was  contemplated  by  the  Indians  and  was  then  being 
arranged  among  them. 

After  fully  considering  the  condition  of  affairs  in  all  its  bearings,  juid 
after  a  thorough  personal  examination  in  company  with  Mr.  Jia- 
ma^.  I  became  more  fully  convinced  than  ever  of  the  necessity  of  re- 
moving that  band  of  Indians  to  some  region  remote  frv)m  Arizona,  where 
they  could  not  at  any  moment  resume  hostilities  and  terrorize  and  devas- 
tate the  country.  As  it  was  supposed  that  this  removal  could  be  effecteHl 
much  more  easily  with  than  without  their  consent,  I  urged  upon  them  the 
importance  of  the  benefits  to  be  obtained  by  r<Mnoving  to  another  part  of 
the  country.  1  also  re([uested  and  obtained  from  the  authorities  at  Wash- 
ington permission  to  send  a  delegation  thither  for  the  purpose  of  securing 
their  consent.  This  delegation  was  ])laced  under  the  charge  of  Captain 
Dorst,  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry,  an  experienced  and  accom]>lislied  officer. 

I  was  of  the  opinion  at  that  time  that  a  riMuoval  to  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory would  be  the  most  advisable,  the  climate  of  that  country  being  simi- 
lar to  that  in  which  they  were  accustomed  to  live.  There  they  would 
also  be  near  another  band  of  Apaches  that  had  been  living  in  that  T(M'ri- 
tory  for  a  very  long  time.  Ilowevei,  it  was  f<  und  impossible  to  remove 
them  immediately  to  that  locality  owing  to  a  la'v  +hat  had  been  enacted 
by  Congress  prohibiting  the  sending  thither  of  any  more  Apaches.  Still 
I  thought  they  could  be  removed  to  some  adjacent  country  in  New  Mexico, 
Texas  or  Kansas,  and  on  a  re])resentation  of  the  facts  of  the  case  I  believed 
that  the  law  would  be  repealed  by  Congress,  and  so  it  subsecjuently  proved. 


M 


t:. 


i:     ■■!, 


];■;  h. 


'Ml 


-1i 


498 


PEHSONAI.  HE(^()LLECTIONS  OF 


The  delegation  went  to  Washington,  where  other  influences  were 
brought  to  bear  upon  them,  and  they  eventually  determined  to  make  no 
terms,  but  insisted  on  returning  to  the  mountains  of  Arizona,  The  dele- 
gation was  ordered  back  without  anything  having  been  accomplished. 
Learning  of  this  I  sent  a  most  earnest  appeal  to  have  the  delegation 
stop])ed  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  stating  that  in  my  opinion  if  they 
returned  to  Arizona  in  dehance  of  the  military  authorities  and  the  appeals 
of  the  people  of  that  Territory,  outbreaks  and  disturbances  might  be 
expected  for  the  next  twenty  years.  Finally,  in  deference  to  this  appeal, 
they  were  ordered  detained  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  where  they  became 
defiant  and  exceedingly  troublesome. 

The  authorities  had  by  this  time  become  fully  convinced  that  these 
Lidians  would  make  no  peaceful  agreement  for  their  removal,  which  had 
now  come  to  be  regarded  as  an  absolute  military  necessity.  When  the 
delegation  was  stopped  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  1  telegra])hed  Captain  Dorst 
to  report  to  me  in  Arizona  and  inform  me  of  the  disposition  of  these 
Indians.  After  he  had  made  his  report  he  was  oi-dered  to  return  to  Fort 
Leavenworth  and  inform  the  Indian  delegation  that  they  could,  if  they 
chose,  be  considered  friendly  treaty  Indians,  in  which  case  they  must  con- 
form to  the  wishes  and  directions  of  the  government  and  consent  to  the 
peaceable  removal  of  all  their  people  from  the  Territory  of  Arizona,  or 
else  they  must  ))e  considered  as  individuals,  responsible  for  the  crimes  they 
had  committed,  and  they  were  reminded  that  indictments  were  then 
pending  in  the  courts  of  Arizona  charging  them  with  murder  and  various 
other  crimes.  They  were  also  reminded  of  the  murders  they  had  perpe- 
trated, and  told  that  the  warrants  for  their  arrest  were  awaiting  them,  and 
that  they  could  not  expect  the  military  to  shelter  them  in  the  ci\il  courts 
from  the  legal  consequences  of  their  acts. 

The  effect  of  this  plain  talk  was  an  agreement  on  their  part  to  accept 
any  disposition  the  government  might  conclude  to  make  of  them.  They 
agreed  to  go  to  any  place  I  might  select,  there  to  remain  until  the  govern- 
ment should  furnish  them  with  utensils,  stock  and  provisions  by  which 
they  could  liecome  self  sustaining.  My  object  was  then  to  eventually  have 
them  located  in  the  Indian  Territory,  but  I  desired  especially  to  place  them 
far  enough  away  from  Arizona  to  render  it  impossible  for  them  to  resume 
hostilities  whenever  they  might  l)e  so  disposed. 

The  importance  of  the  removal  of  this  large  and  troublesome  l)ody  of 
Indians  was  patent  to  all  conversant  with  the  situation,  and  was  vitally 
necessary  to  the  welfare  of  the  country.     The  President  had  been  advised 


s  were 
lake  no 
e  dele- 
pi  i.siied. 
egation 
if  they 
appeals 
gilt  be 
appeal, 
became 

t  these 
ich  had 
len  the 
n  Dorst 
f  these 
to  Fort 
if  they 
List  con- 
t  to  the 
noiia,  or 
les  they 
re  then 
various 
perpe- 
em.and 
1  courts 

)  accept 
They 
govern- 
which 
ly  have 
ce  them 
resume 

body  of 

vitally 

advised 


Y 


GEXEllAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


499 


that  any  failure  of  such  an  attempt  would  result  in  one  of  themo.st  serious 
wars  that  had  ever  occurred  in  the  southwest  country;  tliat  if  it  could  not 
be  accomplished  peaceably,  and  that  if  even  a  few  should  escape  and  take  to 
the  warpath  the  results  would  be  altogether  serious.  Still  I  regarded  it  as 
an  imperative  necessity,  and  after  consulting  with  Colonel  Wade,  who  had 
been  requested  to  meet  me  again  at  Albaquenpie,  New  ^lexico,  and  who 
also  had  confidence  that  it  could  be  done,  the  following  telegram  was  sent 
to  Washington : 

Ai-Hutai^HQii;.  N.  Mkx.,  Au<rast  20,  1886. 
Ai).iUTANT-GK>iKKAL,  U.  S.  Ahmy.  Wiisliinicton,  1).  C: 

Captain  Dorst  reports  thai;  the  Indians  that  are  now  at  Fort  Leavenworth  received  some 
kind  of  certiiicate  in  Washinijton  that  appeared  to  ^rive  them  yreat  assurance,  and  tiiat 
when  he  parted  with  them  their  conduct  was  tlefiant  and  insoh'nt.  Sliould  they  eturn 
with  the  feeling  that  they  were  entirely  independent  of  the  military  authorities  as  well  as 
the  civil  iifovernmen::,  their  control  would  be  most  diilicult  and  their  presence  more  dan- 
jierous  to  the  ]>eace  of  this  country.  I  have  dii\cted  him  to  inform  them  on  his  return 
thaf  they  can  either  be  tnttti/  Itidldiis  or  that  they  must  l)e  reu-anled  as  prisoners  of  war 
and  must  abide  by  what  disposition  the  wovernment  deems  best  for  the  welfare  of  all 
concerned.  I  liave  i^iven  him  a  memoranda  to  propose  to  tliem  as  the  just  and  lileral 
terms  of  the  irovernment,  practically  as  stated  in  mv  letter  of  .lulv  7,  viz.:  to  move  to  such 
])lace  iis  tlie  iroverinnent  deems  best  and  await  such  time  as  a  reservation  or  a  phu-e  of 
of  residence  shall  be  provided  for  them  outside  of  the  'rerritories  of  Arizona  and  New 
Mexico.  Should  thev  accept  it.  a  part  can  remain  at  Leavenworth  and  a  part  return  to 
accom])anv  the  balance  of  the  tribe,  (/oloiiel  Wade,  cummandinir  Fort  Apache.  \\ho  is 
now  here,  informs  me  that  he  can  move  those  at  Apac-lie  without  diflieultv.  and  arranj^e- 
ments  have  already  been  cc^usidered.  'Plie  discomliture  of  the  hostiles  rendei"s  the  time 
favorable,  and  as  the  measr.re  is  of  vital  importance.  1  prav  tint  it  mav  receive  the  approval 
of  the  government. 

Mii.Ks.  Commandinir  Department  Arizona. 
(Indorsement  on  foreiroiuir.) 
Hkadqiautkus  or  tiik  Aiimv.  Wasiiin(;t<»n'.  AujTust  21,  1880. 
Respectfully  submitted  to  the  Ac-ting  Secretary  of  War,  with  copy  for  information  of 
the  Department  of  the  J»)terior. 

P.  H.  SnERiDAX,  Lieutenant-General,  Comniandinjr. 

The  above  dispatch  from  me  was  telegraphed  by  \\\^  Acting  Secre- 
tary of  War  to  the  Secretary  of  War.  Salem.  IMassachusetts,  August 
21, 1886,  and  to  the  President.  Saranac  Inn,  Bloomingdale,  Essex  County, 
New  York,  August  21,  1886. 

he  following  further  official  action  resulted: 

War  Dei'vutmkxt.  Wasiiinuton  City,  August  24.  1886. 
Sir: — Having  transmitted  by  telegraph  to  the  President  and  Secretary  of  War  Gen- 
eral Miles's  telegram  of  the  twentieth  instant,  the  inclosed  are  their  replies.     As  it  is  of 


Mi  k 

lir  i 

ill  1 

1 

■  ii' 

Ii 

,    S   ;Pf    . 

r>ofi 


TKIfSONAL  |{K('()LI,K(TI().\S  OF 


iiiinorfaiK'f  lliaf  (ifiiiTiil  .Miles  slmiiM  liiivt-  tin-  I'tcsidrnf's  views  at  the  earliest  practicahlH 
riKiirietit.  I  l)ei,''  to  recjiiest  your  ()|iirii(iM  is  to  llie  I 'resiileiit's  views  us  soon  as  you  can  con- 
veiiienfly  furnish  it. 

Very  leHjHMrtfully,  your  ohedient  servant, 

H.  ('.  Dki  M,  Acting  Secretary  of  War. 
'I'lie  Secretary  of  tlie  Interior. 

Then  ('((UK'S  Ww  lottor  from  tlic  Socrctjiry  of  War  to  t\u'  Adjiitsmt-dcii- 
eral  and  A(;tiii^'  Secretary  of  War.  of  vvliicli  tlir^  followiiij^'  is  an  oxtract : 

Now,  as  to  the  teh'icrani  you  have  -ent  tlie  sul)stance  of,  from  Mih'S.  I  uiKh'rstand 
hitn  to  say  that  there  is  no  trouble  now  at  Fort  ApaiOie,  and  arran<renietits  have  alreaily 
hct'ti  c!onsi(h'red  tliat  is,  he  can  cajiture  thetii  ail  and  send  tlieni  uwuy  from  the  Territories 
of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  and  those  on  their  way  from  lier(%  now  at  J.ieuvetiw<>rtli.  can 
a  portion  remain  at  Lea viMiworth.  and  the  halance  he  taken  away  with  the  others;  lint  he 
does  not  say  where  he  propose  s  to  take  them,  thoutfh  he  nnist  liave  been  informed  by 
Captain  I  )orst  what  tiu^  views  of  tim  I'n^sident  were  in  that  reirard,  viz.,  that  tlie  jilace  of 
confinement  shoidd  lie  Fort  .Marion.  Flori(hi.  'i'he  only  hesitation  tlie  President  had  in 
reyard  to  this  course  arose  from  his  desire  to  be  assure(i  by  (ieiH^ral  Miles  that  all  of  this 
daiiiferous  bund  could  be  secMired  and  successfull v  conveyed  away;  for  if  a  few  should 
es<!a|)e  and  taU<^  to  tlm  warjiath  the  results  would  be  altoirether  too  st'rious.  Jf,  there- 
fore, (Jeneiid  .Miles  can  a<tcompIish  this,  and  take  them  to  F(trt  .Marion  from  Arizona,  the 
course  approved  l)y  the  President  can  be  carried  out  so  far  us  that  part  of  the  band  at 
I'"ort  Apache  is  concerned. 

As  to  ("hatto  (then  at  Fort  Leavenworth),  and  those  witli  him,  it  was  lhoui»'ht  proper 
that  he  should  be  taken  back  to  x\ri/,ona.  to  be  sent  to  .Marion  with  tlm  others,  and  not 
taken  direc^tly  <here. 

As  In^foni  stated  to  General  .Miles,  there  is  no  other  place  avuilal)Ie,  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory b.iini^  out  of  the  (piestion  for  manv  reasons.  They  ant  to  be  treated  as  prisoners  of 
war.  and  no  hopes  can  be  held  out   to  them  in  reirard  to  the  Indian  'i'erritorv. 

(Jeiieral  Sheridan  and  Mr  Lamar,  or  both,  I  presume,  are  in  Washinfrton.  1  wish 
you  would  show  them  the  above  so  far  as  the  Apaches  are  concerned,  and  unless  som(> 
suifjfeslion  of  disapproval  is  made  by  them  I  think  a  final  order  to  carry  out  the  original 
intention  should  issue  to  take  the  whole  band  of  ('hiricahiias  at  Fort  Apache,  and 
(■hatto's  peoph^  on  their  return,  and  convey  them  to  Fort  Marion  to  join  those  already 
there. 

(indorsement  on  font/oiriir.) 

IlK.MKiiAni  i;i:s  ok  iiik  Ak.mv,  Au<rusi  2\.  ISSC). 

I  concur  with  the  views  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 

I'.  II.  i'^iiKiMKAN.  Lieutenant-Generul.  (/ommandinif. 

While  1  iK'lievf'd  that  .some  point  not  too  fa»' di.stant  from  Arizoint  and 
New  Mexico  .shoiihl  heclio.sen  for  tlie  purposes  »»r  concentrating' the  Indian.s 
tlien  at  Fort  Ajtaclie  and  those  tliat  mi^dit  surrender  or  he  captured  as 
pri.soners  of  war.  still,  as  it  was  decithMJ  hy  the  ^^overment  that  Fort 
Marion  shoidd  he  the  [dace  in  which  to  concentrate  all  the  Indians  for  the 


!     t 


INSfJ. 


(iKNKItAL  NKI.SOX   A.   MII.KS. 


:)()! 


time  Ix'iiij;,  I  sissciitcd  iis  ii  iiuittcr  of  coiirsf.  'l\\(>  fact  tliiit  Fort  Marion, 
Kloi'ida,  had  Ix'cii  decided  upon  as  the  place  of  confineineiit  foi"  not  only 
thos(»  at  Kort  A|>aclie.  Ai"i/,<»na.  hut  also  for  those  who  nii^ht  snrrendei'  or 
he  captured,  is  clearly  indicated  in  the  following  olticial  communication  : 

Wai:    l)i:i-Ai:r\ii;N  r .    W  vsirr  m;  ros   ( 'u  v.   Aiiifiisf   'J4,    ISS(). 

So;:  Scciiiif  that  l"'()rt  .Miiri<iii  ii|i|M'arc(l  to  Ik-  iinrctMl  ii|miii  as  tin-  plan'  at  wliicli  to 
liold  the  A|iaflics  on  tlifir  caiitiirc  or  siiirrtnii'r  as  piisoncrs  of  war,  and  liaviiiif  im  data 
liiTc  frinii  wliicli  to  jiidyc  of  its  rapacity,  i^c.  I  sml  tin-  followiiitf  tclt'irraiii  to  tlic  coiii- 
iiiaiidiiii'' olliccr  at  Saint   AnLrnstinc.  Fla.  : 

"What  nnrnl>iT  oT  Indians  men,  women  and  children  can.  in  addition  to  the  riiirn- 
her  now  at  Saint  .Xnoiistine,  Ik-  accommo<lated  there  "'  Shonid  it  lie  determined  to 
increase  the  nnnd)er  l)V  some  fonr  or  live  hnndred.  what  preparation  would  l)e  necessary 
and  what  jirohahle  expenditure  refjnired  ?  " 

in  reply  I  received  the  follow  iiio'  : 

"  (yau  accommodate  se\ent\-li\e  men.  women  and  children,  in  addition  to  those  now 
here.  Fort  Marion  is  a  small  place:  all  mii^t  live  in  tents.  Have  tenta^fe  hv  lakini,' 
Wattery  tents.  Need  no  particular  pre|iatiition.  luit  will  have  to  expend  8''(M(  for  adililional 
tent  iloor  and  lavatories.  W'mdd  reconnnend  no  more  Indians  be  stMit  here.  .Mortt 
details  by  mail."      Very  respectfidly. 

If.    ( '.    DiM.M,    .Actitiif  Secretary   of   War. 
TiiK   Lmcctknan  I -(ii;.M:i;A!.  oi-  riii:  .Aiimv. 

It  will  l)(^  seen  that,  this  was  the  iiiiderstandin;^  not  only  with  the  Lieu- 
tenant-dleneral  and  the  actinj/  Se<'re1aiy  of  War,  hnt  also  with  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Interior. 

Seventy-seven  Indians  mentioned,  men  women  and  cliildr(Mi,  had  heen 
sent  to  Kort  Marion  in  .March  previous,  as  stated  in  a  foriiier  chapter,  and 
as  it  was  the  tinai  <letermiiiat  ion  of  t  he  aiithorit  ies  at  Washinjiton  t  hat  t  he 
nMiiaiufler  of  the  Chiricaliua,  and  Warm  Spriiio;  Indians  should  he  sent 
there  also.  I  ^'ave  my  most  earnest  attention  to  the  matter.  Let  it  he 
ohservffd  that  the  i"<'mo\al  of  hoth  the  dan^'erous  and  tiirlxdent  Indians 
at  Fort  Apiiche,  aiMJ  thehostih^  Indians  whom  tlif^  troo|)S  had  heen  huntin|.( 
sinc(^  A[)Im1,  occui'red  at  ahout  th<'  same  tiiiiC. 

In  tilt?  nieaiitimc!  one  trooj)  after  another  ha<l  heen  moved  to  the  vicin- 
ity of  Fort  Apache  until  I  had  succeeded  in  jdacin;^'  in  the  imnuMliate  nei<_di- 
borhood,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Wade,  nine  troops  of  ca\alry,  a 
sufficient  force;  I  helieved.to  haiidh;  that  entire  l)ody  (»f  Indians. 

n<d"ore  returning"  to  Fort  Howie  I  had  several  conver.  at  ions  with 
Colonel  Wilde  as  to  the  duty  he  was  to  perform  and  the  methods  <(f  its 
perfornuince.  From  Fort  Howie  I  went  to  Wilc(»x  Station  on  the  Southern 
Pacific  Railroad,  which  was  ahout  twfdve  miles  from  Fort  Howie,  and  in 


f   i 


lii  I 


i 


I  Vi 


I 


■:  \ 


I  ■ 


fi' '     ' 


m 


502 


rh'HSOXAL  KL'COI. LECTIONS  OF 


direct  telegraphic  coniniunication  with  Fort  Ajtiiche.  There  in  the  tele- 
graph office  1  opened  coniniunication  with  Colonel  Wade  and  directed  him 
to  secure  the  entire  Indian  camp  at  Fort  Apache  and  move  them  north  to 
the  railroad,  and  thence  east  to  Florida. 

The  result  proved  that  no  mistake  had  been  made  in  the  selection  of  an 
officer  for  this  duty.  Colonel  J.  F.  Wade  is  "a  chip  of  tlie  (;kl  block."  a  son  of 
that  eminent  statesman,  the  late  Benjamin  F.  Wade  of  Ohio,  who  for  many 


On  Till-:  Way  to  Fi.okida. 

years  represented  that  State  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  He  inherited 
the  sterling  qualities  of  his  illustrious  father.  As  a  boy  of  eighteen  he  was 
a  distinguished  soldier  during  the  great  war,  and  has  siiice  fulfilled  all  the 
requirements  of  his  positions  from  lieutenant  to  that  of  one  of  the  senior 
colonels  of  the  army  of  to-day.  It  was  only  necessary  to  give  him  an 
order,  and  he  could  be  left  to  execute  it  according  to  his  own  best  judg- 
ment. Yet  T  was  extremely  anxious  at  this  critical  moment  of  the  cam- 
paign, because  1  so  fully  realized  how  disastrous  it  would  be  should  he 


(iKNKKAl,  NKI.SON   A.   MII.KS. 


'm 


take  any  measures  wiiicli  would  cause  an  outbreak  aiuon^  the  Indians,  or 
put  a  large  additional  body  on  the  warpath  hy  allowing  them  to  escape, 
for  there  was  a  very  large  liostile  element  in  tlie  camj).  It  would  have 
resulted  in  tlie  sacrifice  ol  numy  innocent  lives,  as  well  as  serious  censure 
ui)on  the  numagement  of  the  affair.  There  are  occasions  when  a  com- 
manding officer  is  obliged  to  trust  the  t\)rtunes  of  the  campaign,  either  for 
weal  or  woe,  to  his  subordinate.  'J'his  was 
•such  a  case.  Of  course  he  is  resi)ousible  for 
the  seh^ction  of  the  subordinate  t( 
carry  out  his  wishes,  but  w 
selected,  if  the  subordinate 
fails  the  entire  responsibility 
and  blame  must  rest  upon 
the  principal. 

In  this  case! felt  the 
utmost  confidence  that 
the  duty  was  left  in 
safe  hands,  yet  so  anx- 
ious was  I  not  to  disturb 
Colonel  Wade  by  any 
oHicial  inquiry  or  by 
calling  for  otlicial  re- 
ports, that  I  went  down 
to  the  telegraph  olHce 
and  asked  the  operator 
on  duty,  a  bright  and 
intelligent  young  man, 
if  he  w'ould  not  open  com- 
munication with  the  opera- 
tor at  Fort  Apache,  and  in 
his  own  name,  without 
mentioning  my  presence, 
ask  for  the  news  of  what 
was  going  on.  He  did  so,  and  the  operator  at  Fort  Apache,  whose 
office  occupied  a  high  point  so  that  he  could  t»verlook  the  whole  scene 
from  his  window,  replied  that  he  observed  that  all  the  Indians  had 
been  gathered  in  to  be  counted  as  was  the  custom  on  Sunday.  Also, 
as  was  their  usual  practice,  the  troops  had  gone  through  their  Sun- 
day  inspection,   and    after   they  had  performed  their    ordinary  duties. 


(iKNKKAi.  ^Iii.Ks    >.  r  'ri:i,i:(;[!  \nr  Off'ici:. 


w 


Ml .  1 

If  i 


WW  I 


^     IT' 


5(14 


TKUsoNAi.  i:k("()i.lkcti()\s  of 


m  . 


1-3! 


had  takfen  certain  positions  tliat  coniniandcd  the  position  of  the 
Indians. 

All  this  merely  s(>rv('d  to  increase  my  anxiety  while  I  awaited  results. 
Then  the  operator  at  Wilcox  siiid  to  the  other  one  at  Apache,  two  hundred 
miles  distant: 

"Let  me  know  fully  what  istjoin*^  on  " 

And  he  n'jdied" 

"I  will." 

Though  not  aware  of  the  si^niilicance  and  importance  of  what  was 
f^oinj^'  on  under  his  eyc^s.  he  watched  events  and  kept  us  informed  of  all 
that  occurred,  lie  saw  tiie  troops  suddenly  take  position  surrounding  the 
large  body  of  Indians,  and  absolutely  commanding  the  position  of  the  In- 
dian camp,  lie  saw  some  commotion  among  the  Indians.  All  the  war- 
riors took  a  standing  position  ready  for  immediate  action.  He  saw  Col- 
onel Wade  (piiotly  walk  down  to  their  vicinity  and  command  them  all  to 
sit  down.  The  Indians  realizing  the  folly  of  resistance  in  tlio  presence  of 
this  strong  body  of  troops,  and  that  there  was  no  avenue  of  escape  for 
them,  were  entirely  within  the  control  of  the  troojjs,  and  quietly  obeyed 
the  command  of  Colonel  Wade.  All  this  was  Hashed  over  the  wires  to  the 
operator  at  Wilcox,  who.  as  little  realized  the  importance  of  it  as  the 
other  operator  (^'d  who  sent  the  messages. 

1  received  the  information  with  infinite  delight.  I  was  prepared  to 
receive  news  of  a  desperate  tight,  of  a  bloody  encounter,  or  possil)ly  the 
esca[»e  of  the  entire  body  of  Indians,  and,  therefore,  when  the  electric 
spark  flashed  the  gratifying  news  which  I  knew  meant  peace,  and  I  hoped 
eternal  i)eace,  to  that  whole  territory,  I  was  greatly  gratified. 

I  waited  for  another  dispatch  which  said  that  Colonel  Wade  had  com- 
manded the  warriors  to  leave  the  camp  and  to  go  into  one  of  the  large 
buildings  adjacent  to  the  body  of  trooi)s.  A  fourth  dispatch  stated  that 
Colonel  Wade  had  directed  a  certain  numl)er  of  the  women  to  return  to 
their  camps  and  l)ring  in  their  goods  and  all  that  they  required  to  carry 
with  them,  as  they  were  about  to  be  removed.  When  this  information 
W'as  received  I  was  entirely  satisfied  that  Colonel  Wade  had  that  entire 
camp — which  was  the  arsenal,  the  breeding  place,  the  recruitirr  depot,  the 
hospital,  the  asylum  of  the  hostiles.  and  had  been  so  for  years, — entirely 
under  his  control,  and  that  we  had  seen  the  last  of  hostile  Indians  coming 
to  and  going  from  that  camp. 

I  did  not  wait  for  Colonel  W^ade's  official  report.  I  knew  that  wdien  he 
had  time  he  would  send  it.    Again  I  turned  my  attention  to  the  hostile 


of    the 

results, 
lundred 


lat  was 
i  of  all 
ling  the 

the  In- 
lie  vvar- 
aw  Col- 
Ill  all  to 
sence  of 
ape  for 

obeyed 

s  to  the 

as  the 

tared  to 
il)ly  the 
electric 
I  hoped 

ad  com- 
le  large 
ted  that 
etiirii  to 
to  carry 
rmation 
.t  entire 
)pot,  the 
entirely 
1  coming 

when  he 
3  hostile 


GENEWAI.  NKI.SON  A.  MII.KS. 


505 


element  still  out  and  still  heing  hunted,  pursued,  harassed  and  run  down 
by  the  troops  under  Lawton  and  those  acting  with  iiim.  I  went  back  to 
Fort  Bowie  that  night,  and  for  several  days  icmained  there  in  communi- 
cation with  the  troops  a  hundr(>d  miles  south  of  us  who  had  for  moutiis 
been  pursuing  (Jeroniuio's  band. 


*i  ii 


m  1 1 


' 


In 


f! 


rm 


I'Ki:S()N.\l,    WKCOM-KCI'IONS  OF 


'nil 


*  ■( 


f    ii 


CHAPTKU  XXXIX. 

iNriDENTS    OF    TIIK    Al'AfllK    CaMJ'AIGN. 

'I'lii:  SiHKv  iiK  riii:  WoiNiiKH  Acacmi:  —  Cmtms  Wonn's  Simkv  —  I'lruiu'TKH  •>!••  Ai'.uiii-:  I{aii)h  — 

fin:  Cask  oi'   Tin;    I'kik"   Family  —  Indian    Ihkah  Aiinir  Ins\m:    I'lMtsoNs — FniiiT    ni:TWi:i:N 

Ai  \iiii:.s  AND    .Mi:\ii'ANs,  and  Sd.MK  OK  Its  Ii'ichilts — Mi;i:TiNti    riiK  .Mkmcan  Tkimu'h  — 

FisDiNd  Tin:   .Ml  KDKUKD  .Mkxic.vxh — FiNDixci  Dkad  BdDiKs  <iN  Tin;  Maiicii  —  Indian 

.M  \NNi:it    nh"    IvIliINd    Hi>H,Hi;s   TO    DiCATII  —  TlIK    ()M)    .MiNKhOK    .MkXICi) — lldW    TUB 

SnMilKliS  >FaH('III:D,   A  IK     AND     Sl.lOIT—  SlUPKIHINti     AN      InDIAN     CaMI' — I'KK- 

I.I.MINAKIDS       ((K       Si  IIKIONDKK       AT      F'HoNTKUAS  —  (rKHnXIMo     (loMKS     IV  — 

A(nu;i:Mi;\T    to    .Sikiikndi.k  —  ^1i;i;tin(i    With    tiik    ^Ikxican    Sni,- 

DIKHS  —  (ilCHOMMo'.S       1<"UI  KNDI.Y         0|.|'KI{       Til       AsSIST  —  MiOMCAN 

NiOKVoi  sNioss  —  I.(>siN(j     A     (Command  —  A     Xi;\v     itiiM'; — A 

Stami'Imh-: — Mi:.\ic\n    Tdwxs — K.vtukmk    IIakdsiiii'    ok 

Tin;     ('\Mi'Ai(rN  —  Tin;      I'ltorouTinN     or     Sikvivokh 

—  (ii:!ioNlMo's  I'llII.OSorilV         OK         Si  HKICNDKH. 

X  .Inly,  \vl;ilo  iit  Fort  Apuclie,  I  liad  found  the  liuliiiu  Itc- 
foie  ret'entul  to  wlio  hail  l)tien  wounded  in  llattield's  ti^'lit. 
and  who  had  worked  his  way  north  to  Camp  Apache  lie 
had  av(>ided  the  troops  by  travelini(  aUnv^  the  crests  of  tli(» 
mountains,  and  luid  contrived  to  -nbsist  on  field  mice,  rab- 
bits, the  juH;e  of  the  jjjiant  cactus,  and  wluitever  he  could 
find  to  sustain  lite.  He  reported  that  when  lie  left  the  camp 
of  the  hostiles  they  were  much  worn  down  and  disheartened, 
and  that  some  of  them  were  disposed  to  surrender.  I  was 
satisfied  from  his  story  that  this  was  the  time  to  demand  a  surrender,  and 
that  he  coiild  l)e  made  useful  in  opening'  communication  with  the  hostiles. 
I,  therefore,  decided  to  send  him  with  one  other  Indian,  under  the  charge  of 
liieutenant  Uatewood.  to  seek  out  the  hostile  camp  and  demand  a  surrender. 
Captain  Leonard  Wood,  the  only  officer  who  was  with  Captain  Lawton 
during  the  entire  cam[)aign,  is  at  present  stationed  at  Washington,  D.  C.. 
and  gives  me  the  following  interesting  account  of  the  Apache  campaign 
south  of  the  border,  from  notes  taken  by  him  during  the  time. 

CAPTAIN  LEOXAKI)  WOODS  STOHV. 

As  illustrating  the  character  of  the  raiding  done  by  these  Apaches,  I 
may  mention  the  case  cf  the  Peck  family.  Their  ranch  was  surrounded 
by  Indians,  the  entire  family  was  captured,  and  several  of  the  farm-hands 


r.  1{M1)H  — 

uiU'S  — 
111  AN 
•UK 


uliiiu  lul- 
l's    tijrllt. 

ihe       lit' 

A      of      tllO 

lice,   lab- 
ile  could 
the  cam II 
learteneil, 
I  Avas 
iider.  and 
e  hostiles. 
charge  of 
urrender. 
11  Lawtou 

[ton.  1).  r., 

campaign 


\paches,  I 
iurronnded 
arm-hands 


(JKNKIJAI,  NKI.P.  )N   A.   MII.KS. 


'A)7 


were    killed,      llie  liiishaiid  \va.-.        J  up  and  conipt'llcd   t(t  witness  inde- 


si'filiahle  tortures  inilicird  upon  Ins  wiic  initil  she  died,  i  n(>  tcniiile 
ordeal  reiidcicd  liini  temporarily  insaiu',  and  iis  tlir  Apnclies.  likr  nio^t 
Indians,  stand  in  great  awe  of  an  insane  person,  tliev  set  liini  free  as 
soon  as  tliey  discovered  his  mental  ('(Midition;  hut  otherwise  he  would 
never  have  heen  allowed  to  live.  He  was  afterward  found  hy  his  friends 
wandering  ahout  the  place. 

His  daughter,  who  was  ahoiit  thirteen  years  old.  was  captured  hy  the 
Indians  and  <'arried  hy  them  three  Inindred  miles,  hotly  pursued  hy  'ap- 


tain  Lawt  «>  n's 
they  met  a  party 
sistingof  sixty  or 
The  Mexicans 
the  Indians,  kill- 
wounding  the 
ried  the  little 
l»ling  her  to  es- 
dian's  horse  was 
same  time,  thus 
sihie  for  him  to 
mainder  of  the 
treated,  so  he 
and  stood  otT  the 
seventy  Mexi- 
seven  of  tlicin,  / 
wasshot  through 
Our  command 
outfit  that  had 
and  on  the  same 
s  k  i  r  111  i  s  h    oc- 


CaI'TAIN    I,|:ii\AI!I>    Wunl). 


command,  wIkmi 
of  Mexicans  con- 
seventy  111  e  II 
tired  a  volley  on 
iiig  a  woman  and 
man  who  car- 
girl,  thus  eiia- 
cape.  This  In- 
killed  at  the 
makingit  iiiipos- 
follow  the  re- 
l»arty  as  I  hey  re- 
took totlie  rocks, 
eiitin*  sixty  or 
cans,  killing 
each  of  whom 
the  head, 
had  followed  the 
the  little  girl, 
day  that  this 
curred  with  the 


Mexicans  we  had  beenahle  to  get  near  enough  to  tire  at  them,  hut  it  was 
too  late  in  the  day  to  accomiilish  anything,  and  the  next  morning  at 
dayhreak  we  were  again  on  their  trail  following  as  hist  as  jiossihle.  when 
our  scouts  came  rushing  luck,  saying  they  had  met  a  large  hody  of  Mex- 
ican troops.  Captain  Lawton.  Lieutenant  Finley.  and  niy.self  went  on  foot 
asrapidly  as  we  could  to  try  to  overtake  them  hut  they  were  in  full  re- 
treat and  we  had  to  follow  tliein  ahout  six  miles  hefor<'  we  could  catch 
them.  As  we  approached,  the  whole  party  covered  us  with  their  riHes  and 
seemed  very  much  excited.     They  proved  to  he  the  very  party  who  had 


I 


liii  ( I 


(N 


i  r 


:»(»s 


I'KlfSONAI,  IfKCOl.I.KCTlONS  ()K 


r«'cii|itiir(Ml  the  little  ^irl.  iind  tliry  now  (Iclivcrcd  \u>v  over  to  Captain 
liawton.  who  sent  lirr  hack  to  the  I'nitcd  States  wlwiv  she  was  taken  in 
chai'^ie  hy  Iriends. 

The  Mexicans  explained  their  fri;j:ht  jit  oiii-  appearance  in  this  way. 
'I'hey  had  descended  into  the  cafion  where  the  fi^dit  had  taken  place  to 
brin^'  out  the  hodies  of  the  seven  nuMi  who  had  l»een  shot,  when  they  saw 
our  Mvn  scouts  advancin<,'  down  the  caiion.  They  mistook  them  for  the 
frien«is  of  the  Indian  wonnin  who  had  heen  kille<l  coming'  to  HM-over  her 
l)ody.  and  as  they  had  had  all  the  li;,ditin;/  they  cared  lor  with  tluit  par- 
ticular hand,  they  procee(|ed  to  I'ctreat  as  i'a[)idly  as  possiiije. 

It  was  on  this  same  e.\i)edition  after  the  little  ;j:irl.  hut  a  few  days  pre- 


,■  .M' 


■^ 


i\ 


'  '  ^ /,/    •     vious    to    tlio  events 

just  related,  that  I  was 

out  linntin<,'.  trying'  to  ^^et  some   fresh 

meat  for  tiie  command,  when  I  noticed 

far  down  in  the  ravine  five  oi*  six  little 

Imndixo  Tin:   AIiui>ki!iou  Aficvic ans.        m       •  i        i     i      i  t  i       .  .. 

JMexican  hush  huts.  I  api)roached  them 
and  discovered  the  ))odies  of  five  Mexicans,  all  shot  throu^di  the  head. 
Some  of  their  faces  were  powder-])urned.  showin«;  that  the  shots  were 
very  close.  They  proved  to  be  the  placer  miners,  who  had  been  workinj; 
in  the  creek  when  the  Indians  crept  stealthily  upon  them  and  killed  them 
all.  probably  at  the  first  volley.  On  one  occasion  the  Indians  rode  rij;ht 
through  a  wood-choi)i)er's  camp,  killing.?  seven,  and  there  were  forty  or 
fifty  instauves  of  similai-  atrocities.  In  one  day  we  picked  up  as  many  as 
ten  bodies,  and  the  governor  of  Sonora  reported  the  number  of  Mexicans 
killed  during  the  whole  campaign  to  be  as  high  as  five  or  six  hundred. 


GKNKI{.\I.   NKI.SOX   A.   MII.KS. 


r)(i«) 


'aptaiii 
ikon  ill 

s  way. 
lace  to 
cy  saw 
I'ur  the 

at   inir- 

lys  pre- 


•^ 


events 
lat  I  was 
le   fresh 
noticed 
;ix  little 
'd  them 
le  head. 
Its  were 
korkinj^ 
»d  them 
le  ri^dit 
forty  or 
|nany  as 
[exicans 
Ired. 


The  Indians  would  start  out  with  lil'ty  oi' sixty  iiorses.  and  alter  one  had 
heen  nr},'ed  as  far  as  possihie.  his  ridrr  wiuihl  kill  him  and  then  seh'et  a 
fr(>sh  animal  and  Inirry  on.  Wlini  our  troops  jjrot  anywhen*  near  tln-m 
they  would  simply  scatter  like  (piail.  to  nicrt  a^'ain  f<Mir  .»r  li\<'  days  later 
at  some  desi^Miatecl  point.  Thr  ^'ciicral  drift  of  the  trail  was  ahont  the 
headwaters  of  the  ^inpii  Ihvcr,  and  in  a  roinitiT  that  was  •.•hsolntely 
nid\ini\vn.  In  this  vicinity  arc  situated  those  famous  old  lost  mines  of 
north  Mexico,  ahont  which  cvcit  Mexican  town  is  full  of  stories,  .lust 
south  of  the  houndary  line  is  the  only  east  and  west  trail  for  a  hundred  or 
two  miles.  .\ll  the  trails  of  this  re;j:ion  are  of  the  vei-y  faintest  kind,  and 
can  he  follow«Ml  only  with  the  ^'i-eatest  dilliculty  hy  dayliirht  and  at  ni;j:ht 
not  at  all,  unless  nniisually  ^M>od,  K\t>n  in  the  daytime  timy  nvo  often 
lost.  These  (dd  mines  just  referreil  to  had  Ion;/  heen  ahandoned,  and  as 
the  Apaidieshave  run  over  this  re^'ion  during;  the  last  two  or  three  hundred 
year;.,  they  have  never  heen  I'cdiscovered.  hut  are  supposed  to  he  fahulously 
rich.  One  day  while  on  the  Va»|ui  Uiver  a  man  came  to  us  who  had 
heen  lost  for  sixty-one  days.  He  was  an  .American  and  almost  de- 
mented, lie  had  heen  following'  the  course  of  the  river,  trying'  to  find 
his  way  out  of  thi>  wilderness.  II«'  had  fre(piently  seen  si^/ns  of 
the  Indians,  hut  luid  not  heen  nn)lested  hy  them.  He  had  i'cnne  a«*ross 
one  of  these  ohi  mines  and  ;jfave  a  veiT  coni|»lete  d(>scription  of  it.  whi(di 
agreed  with  the  recorded  descj'iption  ^^iven  ns  hy  the  old  priest  of 
Oposnra. 

When  we  reacluMl  tlu'  Vacpii  h'iver  country  it  was  found  im|)ossihle  to 
make  nse  of  the  cavalry-  the  moinitains,  volcanic  in  theiiMduiracter.  hein^ 
alm.ost  imi)assahle.  The  heat  was  intense,  and  the  conunand  was  nMluced 
to  deer  meat  foi*  food.  There  were  ahsolut<'ly  no  veiretahles,  and  in  fact 
very  little  even  of  the  meat  mentioned.  Oiii-  supply  of  hacon  had  hair 
on  hoth  sides  of  it.  So  thin  had  it  hecome  that  nothing,'  was  left  hut  the 
hide.  One  day  ('a]>tain  Lawton  was  ma<l(»  violently  ill  hy  eating'  some 
canned  corned-heef.  which  had  fermented  soon  after  hein^'  opened,  and 
for  a  few  hours  his  life  hnnjj:  in  the  halance.  At  one  time  I  was  in  com- 
mand of  the  scouts  on  a  trip  across  the  main  divide  of  the  Sierra  Madre  to 
''cutsi^n"  of  the  hostiles,  and  we  were  without  rations  for  seven  days 
with  the  exception  of  ^^ame.  We  slept  in  the  hushes,  and  were  without 
blankets  or  heddin^'.  Onr  Indian  scouts  were  always  very  loyal  and  r(>ady 
for  dnty.  They  would  follow  a  trail  for  days  where  there  was  not  a  sii/n 
that  white  men  could  see.  Their  si^dit  was  remarkable,  and  every  move- 
ment of  a  bird  or  insect  was  noted  l)y  them. 

M.-:iiJ 


I 


»? 


'I! 


t  M    I 


iiUl 


510 


I'ERSONAL  KEroI. LECTION'S  OF 


On  the  I'Uh  of  .liily  we  pfFected  the  surprise  of  the  camp  of  Geronimo 
and  Natchez  whicli  eventually  led  to  their  surrender,  and  resulted  in  tlie 
immediate  capture  of  everything'  in  their  camps  except  themselves  and 
the  clothes  they  wore.  It  was  our  practice  to  keej)  two  scouts  two  or 
three  days  in  advance  of  the  command,  and  between  them  and  the  main 
body  four  or  H\e  other  scouts,  Th.e  Indian  scouts  in  advance  would  locate 
the  camp  of  the  hosiiles  and  send  back  word  to  the  »iext  party,  who  in 
their  turn  would  notify  the  nniin  command  :  then  a  forced  march  would 
be  made  in  order  to  surround  and  surprise  the  camp.  On  the  day  men- 
tioned, followinj^^  this  method  of  procedure,  we  located  the  Indians  on  the 
Ya(|ui  Kiver  in  a  section  of  country  almost  impassable  for  man  or  beast, 
and  in  a  position  which  the  Indians  evidently  fell  to  be  perfectly  secure. 
The  small  table-land  on  which  the  camp  was  located  bordered  on  the 
Yaqui  River  and  was  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  hi^di  cliffs  with  practically 
only  two  points  of  entrance,  ono  up  the  river  and  the  other  down.  The 
otlicers  were  able  to  creep  up  and  look  down  on  the  Indian  camp,  which 
was  about  two  thousand  feet  below  their  point  of  observation.  All  the 
tires  were  burnintr,  the  horses  were  ^razin^.  and  the  Indians  were  in  the 
river  swimming',  with  evidently  i.v)t  the  sli^ditest  apprehension  of  attack. 
Our  plan  was  to  send  scouts  to  close  the  upper  opening,  and  then  to  send 
the  infantry,  of  which  1  had  the  command,  to  attack  the  camp  from  below. 

lioth  Indians  and  infantry  were  i)ut  in  position,  and  advanced  on  the 
^'ostile  cami\  which.  situat(Ml  as  it  was  on  this  table-land  covered  with 
lane-brake  and  boulders,  formed  an  ideal  position  for  Indian  defense.  As 
the  infantry  advanced  the  tirin*;  of  the  .couts  was  heard,  which  led  us  to 
believe  that  the  li^hr  was  on,  and  <jfreat,  accordingly,  was  our  dis<,ni«t  t-) 
find,  on  our  ari'ival.  that  the  Hi'in*;  was  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  the 
scouts  were  killing;  the  stock,  the  Apaches  themselves  liavin<;  escaped 
through  the  northern  exit  just  a  few  minutes  before  their  arrival.  It  was 
a  vei'y  narrow  escape  for  the  Indians,  and  v  is  due  to  a  mere  accident. 
One  of  their  number  who  had  been  out  hunting  discovered  the  red  head- 
band of  one  of  our  scouts  as  he  was  crawling  around  into  position.  He 
immediately  droi)ped  his  game  and  notiiied  the  Apaches,  and  they  were 
able  to  get  away  just  bef(  re  the  scouts  closed  up  the  exit.  Some  of  these 
Indians  were  suffering  from  old  wounds.  Natchez  himself  wns  among 
this  number,  and  their  sufferings  through  the  pursuit  which  followed  led 
to  their  discouragement  and.  finally,  to  their  surrender. 

From  this  point  they  made  a  big  detour  to  the  south  of  the  Yaqui  River, 
captured  a  Mexican  pack-train,  remounted  themselves,  and  started  north 


ri^i 


ronimo 

in  the 
es  and 
two  or 
e  main 
1  locate 
wlio  in 
I  would 
ly  men- 
i  on  the 
)!•  beast, 

secure. 

on  the 
ictically 
n.  The 
1,  which 

All  the 
e  in  the 
f  attack. 
,  to  send 
ini  I: flow, 
on  the 

■ed  with 

use.     As 

od  us  to 

that  the 
escaped 
It  was 
ticcident. 
ed  head- 
ion.     He 
ley  were 
of  these 
,  among 
)wed  led 

ui  River, 
?d  north 


GEXKHAL  XKI.SON  A.   MILES. 


511 


with  our  command  hard  after  them.  When  we  were  about  a  hundred 
miles  south  of  Fronteras  we  learned  from  some  Mexicans  wlioni  we  met 
that  the  Indians  were  in  the  vicinity  of  that  place.  Two  of  the  Indian 
women  had  been  in  the  town,  and  to  the  house  of  one  Jose  Maria,  whom 
they  knew  well  as  he  had  been  a  captive  anuuig  them  for  seventeen  years. 
These  two  women  had  been  sent  to  get  him  to  open  communications  with 
a  view  to  surrender.  Jose  was  at  the  time  with  ('a[>tain  liawton,  acting  as 
interpreter  for  the  scouts;  Itut  his  wife  was  at  home, 
and  when  she  heard  .some  one  calling  her  husband,  ./ 
went  to  the  window  and  discovered 
the  tW'O  Indian  women  on  a  neigh- 
boring hill.  They  told  her  tin; 
had  been  sent  to  ask 
Jose  to  open  negotia- 
tions with  the  Ameri- 
cans. This  was  the  first 
really  direct  intimation 
of  their  intention  to 
surrender. 

The  news  of  their 
being  in  Fronteras  had 
also  reached  several 
military  commands  in 
Arizona,  and  we  found 
on  our  arrival  that  liieu- 
tenant  Wilder  of  the 
Fourth  Cavalry  had 
found  these  Indian  wo- 
men, and  had  sent  a 
message  bv  them  to  the 


S<'^ 


Vol-  .\i;k  tiik  M\\  T  Want  to  Talk  With." 


»J.' 


ho  stiles,  demanding 
their  surrender.  In  the  meantime  Lieutenant  Oatewood  who  had  joined 
Captain  Lawton's  command  about  ten  days  before  on  the  Yafjui  Hiver.  the 
two  Indians,  his  escort,  interpreters,  packers,  etc.,  were  sent  to  the  hostile 
camp  to  discover  the  state  of  mind  of  the  hostiles.  The  two  Indians  entered 
the  hostile  camp.  One  stayed  all  night,  but  the  other  returned  and  said 
that  Geronimo  wanted  to  meet  Lieutenant  (latewood  in  the  open  and  un- 
attended, for  a  talk.  Glatewood  had  this  talk  with  him.  found  his  tone 
friendly,  and  afterward  Vv^ith  his  party  went  into  their  camp.     Lavvton 


Ml 


J'; 


512 


PKHi^ONAI,  KKCOLLECnMOXS  OK 


m 


u<( 


i 


was  with  bis  scouts  iii  advance  of  liis  in.;in  coniniaiul  and  near  the  Indians' 
camp,  (Jatewood.  a'tcr  his  visit  to  ti»c  Indians  returned  to  Lawton's 
camp  very  much  (lisc(»nra<jfed,  saying'  that  tlie  Indians  had  declined  to 
reco<j:in/e  him  and  that  he  had  no  faith  in  their  snrren(lel•in^^  Lawton 
replied  that  the  Indians  were  not  waitinj^  there  for  nothing,  and  that  he 
believed  they  meant  to  surrender. 

The  next  morning  at  daybreak'  (ieronimo.  Natchez  and  twelve  or 
thirteen  other  Indians  <'anu'!  into  our  camp,  and  (JcM'onimo  rushed  up  to 
Lawton,  threw  his  arms  around  him,  and  giving  him  a  hug  said: 

"  Vou  are  the  nuin  I  want  to  talk  with," 

They  had  a  short  conversation,  and  as  a  result  the  entin*  body  of  Indians 
came  down  and  camped  within  two  miles  of  us,  and  later  in  the  day  moved 
still  nearer,  so  that  they  were  only  half  a  mile  away,  and  (inally  they 
agreed  to  accom[)any  Lawton  to  where  they  could  meet  (Jeneral  Miles  and 
formally  surrender. 

I'luler  tlu^se  conditions  we  had  advanced  a  day's  march,  when  we  were 
very  much  surprised  one  morning  befcn-e  we  had  left  our  camp  at  the  sudtlen 
ap])earance  of  a  party  of  ISO  Mexicans,  command(Ml  by  the  prefect  of 
Arisjie.  Li<Miteiuint  Smith  and  Tom  Horn,  chief  of  scouts,  jumped  ou 
their  mules  and  rode  down  to  meet  them  in  a  d(Mise  canebrake,  and  found 
them  extren.elv  hostile.  They  insisted  that  they  were  u^oing  to  fittack 
the  Indian  camp  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  we  assured  them  that  the  Indians 
Avere  our  iirisoners,  were  peaceably  on  their  way  to  the  United  States, 
and  that  we  could  not  permit  them  to  be  attacked.  They  Hnally  stopj)ed 
advawcing,  Lawt  m;  came  up  and  agreed  to  allow  ten  of  their  number 
to  go  into  our  camp  and  receive  proof  that  the  Indians  seriously  intended 
to  surrender.  During  the  time  that  an  attack  seemed  imminent,  Geronimo 
sent  word  to  Captain  liawton  that  he  held  his  Indians  in  readiness  to 
attack  the  Mexicans  ii^  the  rear  while  we  attacked  them  in  front. 

As  soon  as  the  Mexicans  halted  T  went  on  and  overtook  the  Indians, 
who  in  the  meantime  had  been  instructed  by  Captain  Lawton  to  "pull 
out.  and  keep  out  of  the  way,"  Walsh  of  the  Fourth  Cavalry  and  (ilate- 
wood  were  sent  with  them  to  protect  them  in  case  they  came  in  contact 
with  any  of  our  own  ti-oops.  Captain  Lawton  sent  me  to  them  to  assure 
them  that  we  would  stand  by  them  under  any  circumstances,  and  would  not 
allow  them  to  be  attacked.  Towards  night  some  of  their  scouts  came  in 
with  the  report  that  ten  Mexicans  were  with  our  people,  which  ci'eated  con- 
siderable excitement  among  the  Indians,  Tl'.is  showed  how  well  they  kept 
posted  regarding  events  that  were  transpiring  around  them,     I  hastened 


(iKNKIJ.A'.  NKI.SON   A.  .Vii,KS. 


518 


uliiins' 
wton's 
irhI  to 
.awton 
hat  he 

A\e  or 
1  up  to 


Indiiins 

iuovihI 

ly  they 

lies  jiiitl 

ve  were 
1  siuklen 
Bfect  of 
iped  oil 
d  found 

attack 
Indians 

States, 
stopped 
nunil)er 
ntended 
eronimo 
iness  to 

Indians, 
o  "  pull 

id  Gate- 
contact 

o  assure 

ould  not 
came  in 

itcd  con- 
loy  kei)t 
lastened 


to  assure  them  that  there  wen^  only  ten  Mexicans,  and  that  there  could 
not  possihiy  he  any  treachery  on  oiii-  part.  This  satislied  them,  and  Cap- 
tain Lawton  came  up  soon  alter  and  went  into  can)p  ch»se  hy  them.  He 
tluMi  sent  a.  messaj^je  to  (leroniino  to  hrinjr  down  his  Indians  as  it  was  nec- 
("ssary  to  assui'e  the  Mexicans  that  they  wci'e  j^'oiiin^  in  to  suri'ender. 

(Jeroniino  immediately  complied,  and  came  down  with  nearly  all  his 
men.  As  they  advanced  toward  the  tree  under  which  the  Mexicans  were 
standin«/.  one  ot"  tlie  latter  nei'\oiisly  moNcd  his  revolver  in  his  helt.  in  an 
instant  every  Indian  wcapcui  was  draAvn.  an<l  t  he  only  thinj,'  that  sav  m1  the 
lives  of  the  Mexicans  was  the  fact  that  we  jumped  in  between  and  held  Uf) 
our  hands  to  [)r(n'ent  the  hi<li;ins  from  lirin<.j.  The  Mexi«';ins  now  ap- 
peared to  he  |>ei'l'ectly  satislied.  and  fi'om  this  tim(>  we  saw  no  more  of 
them. 

'J'he  next  day  after  this  <'xcitin;^'  ei»is(Rle,  when  Lieutenant  Smith 
started  olT  with  the  cavalry  and  pack-train,  there  must  have  heen  some 
misund(M'st;5ndinj.f  ahout  the  desijiuated  cain pi u^":  place,  for  he  took  a  direc- 
tion dilTerent  from  that  taken  hy  the  Indians,  who  w<'re  acco;upani<'<l 
hy  Lavvton.  (iatevvood,  t'lay  and  myself.  It  was  necessary  h>r  soim^ 
of  us  to  travel  with  them  in  order  that  in  case  we  ran  into  any  of  our 
troops  an  exi»lanation  mij^ht  \w  made  hefoi'e  a,  ti;jfht  ensued. 

Ahout  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Lawtctn  hecame  anxious  ahout 
the  disa])peai"aiice  of  the  command,  and  aftei'  aniviii}^'  at  an  understand- 
in<.(  with  the  Indians  in  reirard  to  the  camping'  place  for  the  nij^dit,  he 
started  out  to  lind  it.  (latewood  had  with  him  his  interi)reter.  a  rmin 
named  (ieorj^e  Wi'atton,  and  ahout  four  o'clock  \\v  sent  him  out  to  search 
for  the  comnuind.  Hut  unlortumitely  he  did  not  reach  the  command 
until  the  next  day,  having  wand(>re(l  ai'ound  all  ni^^ht  and  I'idden  his 
mule  to  death.  This  left  only  (Jatewood.  Clay  and  myself  in  the  Apache 
camp,  aiul  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  the  Indians.  Instead  of  takin<;  advan- 
taj.je  )f  our  i)ositiou.  they  assured  usthat  while  w(MV(M-e  in  their  camp  it  was 
our  camp,  and  that  as  we  had  nev<'r  lied  to  them  they  were  ^oin^  to  keep 
faith  with  us.  They  jj^ave  us  tlu^  hest  they  had  to  <'at,  and  treated  us  as 
well  as  we  could  wish  in  every  way.  .lust  helon^  Ki^''"J-'  "^  these  assur- 
ances, (leronimo  viuuo  to  ni<>  and  ask<'d  to  see  my  I'itle.  It  was  .i  Ilotch- 
kiss  and  he  had  never  seen  its  mcM'hanism.  When  he  asked  me  for  the 
jrun  and  sonu'  ammuniti(ui  I  must  confess  I  felt  a  little  nervous,  for  I 
thought  it  mi^lit  he  a,  device  to  ^et  hold  of  one  of  our  wea|)<ms.  i  made 
no  ohjection.  however,  hut  h't  him  have  it,  showed  him  how  to  use  it,  ami 
he  Hred  at  a  nuirk,  just  missing  one  of  his  own  men,  which  he  regarded 


M 


I       ! 


\' 


w 


III; 


:i 


Vi  ■  ■  I 


'•  j' 


iii 


'.i' 


514 


I'EltSONAI.  rKCOI.LKC'DONS  OK 


W 


as  ji  jxrciii  joko.  rolliii;,'  on  tlio  ^m-oiiikI.  ]iiii;iliinL'  lioiii'tily  and  saying 
'■good  gun."" 

Late  the  next  af't('!'!i()((ii  we  caiiic  ii|)  with  our'  conmiaiKl.  and  we  f lien 
procoodcd  toward  the  Itonndar.N  line.  The  Indiiins  were  very  watcdifid. 
and  when  nvc  came  near  any  of  (uii-  troops  we  t'oinid  the  Indians  uoiv  al- 
wa^'.s  awarr  ,)!'  tiioif  |)i('sonc('  lioforc  we  knew  of  it  onrschcs. 

After  the  snnccntJcr  at  Skolcton  Ciinon.  tlic  Indiiins  who  remained  with 
our  coininand  were  \('ry(|niet  until  we  were  within  four  miles  of  h'ort 
Ji()wi<'.  On  t  he  morning  of  t  he  day  we  reacheil  the  foi't.  just  hefore  day- 
light, an  ollicorrode  suddenly  down  upon  tlu'  Indian  canij)  and  stiinipeded 
it;  and  when  d;iylight  came  we  found  seven  of  them  had  disa|)peared. 
The  })arty  consi-ited  of  *^hree  men,  three  w(»inen  and  a  child,  one  of  the 
men  being  Mh*  Itr-other  of  Nat(die/,.  laeuteiiant  .lohnson  and  myself  were 
sent  with  small  parties  in  pursuit  of  them,  imt  though  we  ea(di  traveled 
ahout  two  thousand  miles-  going  far  down  into  .Mexico,  he  on  the  east 
and  I  on  the  west  of  the  Sierra  Madre  we  could  not  even  learn  their 
fate,  tliougn  .Johnson  heard  iMimorsof  theirheing  killed  in  .Mexico. 

During  our  pursuit  of  the  Apacdies,  which  lasted  from  April  to  August, 
\ve  were  sonu'tinu's  very  near  them  without  seeing  them.  One  day 
Hoi'ii  and  myself  wei'e  out  after  deer,  in  the  hope  of  being  able  to 
obtain  sometliing  to  eat.  and  while  we  were  (dimbing  the  side  of  a  canon, 
we  were  both  shot  at  and  our  faces  lillecl  with  dust.  Doubt  less  our  unseen 
as.sailants  wci'e  hostiles.  Again,  on  another  occasion,  while  going  across 
the  mountains  to  a  Mexican  town  in  (pu'st  of  information.  I  found  tracks 
of  the  Indians  not  over  thirty  minutes  old.  1  knew  this  was  so  because 
they  had  been  made  since  a  lic^avy  rain.  whi(di  had  oi'cinred  oidy  a  few 
minutes  before.  Two  nu'ii  had  been  killed  on  this  trail  slioj-tly  before,  and 
tlu'  body  of  one  was  being  taken  into  town  as  I   ciiuie  in. 

The  little  .Mexican  towns  that  we  passed  wer"  usually  walled  ;  every 
7'an(di  was  fortilied,  as  w(dl  as  e\('}T  village,  and  the  houses  were  loop- 
lioled  for  musketry.  Tiie  i)eo|)l<'  \vere  primitive  to  a  degree,  many  of  then! 
*■«  ai'c(dy  knowing  whether'  .Mexico  was  a  i'e))ublic  or  an  em[)ii"e,  and  nearly 
every  family  had  lost  some  i"elati\'e  or  friend  tlij'ough  thf^  .\j>a(dies.  The 
Indians  always  (diose  this  section  of  coiiiit)-y  when  endeavoring  to  make 
their  escape-  from  tlie  Cnited  States  troops,  and  pui'suit  was  especially 
ditlicult  from  the  fact  that  i\\o  I'egion  was  entiredy  uid\nown  to  us  and 
almost  impassable.  The  Indians  would  piu'posely  lead  us  into  places 
where  there  was  Jio  watei'.  and  sometinu's  all  of  thitt  li(|uid  that  we  had  to 
drink  would   be  as  thick  as  jelly—  stutT  that  had  stood  in   ro(d\  tanks  for 


W'i 


('  tlicn 
tchful. 
ore  iil- 

'(i  with 
jf  F«'tt 
re  (lay- 
n|»('(l('(I 
[X'arcd. 
of  tlio 
If  \v(M-e 
ravcled 
lie  cust 
rii  their 

August, 

II 10   day 

al)lo   to 

cunon. 

imsoen 

across 

ti-a(*ks 

X'caiisc 

a  few 

»i-(',  and 

;  (>v(M\v 
hx)))- 
>f  theii! 

iicarlv 
;.  Tlie 
o  make 
xM'ially 

ns  and 
jthices 

had  to 
.11  ks  for 


'',t 


If, 

'III 


pi 
'Pi', 


^  .! 


11.:. 

LAWTON'S   PURSUIT   OF   GERONIMO.- >kk  i  a.,k'  i.m; 


'513 


Si 

11 

! 

1 
1 

1 

11 

1 

UHnH 

1. 

li 

'■• 

:     f 

fi 


GEXEHAr.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


517 


months.  At  other  times  they  would  set  tire  to  the  ifruss  and  hushes. 
Alth()U<j:h  the  men  for  tliis  expedition  were  picked  with  the  greatest  ca-.-e, 
only  about  one-third  of  them  endured  the  long  fatigue,  and  we  had  prac- 
tically tliree  sets  of  otlicers.  Only  Lawtou  and  I  of  the  whole  coinnumd 
went  through  the  entire  cam])iiign  from  hegiiining  to  end. 

One  who  does  not  know  this  country  cannot  re.ili/e  what  this  kind  of 
service  means  —  marching  every  day  in  the  int(>nse  heat,  the  rocks  and 
earth  being  so  torrid  that  the  feet  ai-e  blistered  and  ritle-barrels  and  every- 
thing metallic  being  so  hot  that  the  hand  cannot  tou<*h  tiieni  without  gel- 
ting  burnt.  It  is  a  country  rough  beyond  descri|)tion.  covered  (-verywhere 
with  cactus  and  full  of  rattlesnakes  and  other  undc!  irable  companions  of 
that  sort.  The  rain,  when  it  does  come,  comes  as  a  tro{)ical  tem[»est, 
transforming  dry  canons  'nto  raging  torrents  in  an  instant.  The  small 
white-tail  deer  abounded  and  served  us  w(^ll  as  a  meat  ration.  It  was  no 
unusual  sight  to  see  half  a  dozen  brought  into  camp  and  disposed  of  in  as 
many  minutes.  "Meat,  and  lots  of  it."  that  was  the  cry  while  we  were 
doing  our  hardest  work,  and  it  seemed  to  be  recpiired  to  make  good  the 
waste.  We  had  no  tents  and  little  or  no  baggage  of  any  kind  except 
rations  and  ammunition.  Suits  of  underclothing  formed  our  uniform  and 
moccasins  covered  our  feet. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  terms  of  surrender  were  fully  under- 
stood by  all  the  Indians.  In  all  the  talks  at  which  I  was  present  they  seemed 
to  comprehend  perfectly  that  the  surrender  was  to  be  unconditional,  a-id 
they  were  told  from  the  very  first  that  the  intention  was  to  send  them 
away.    Geronimo  only  said  : 

"  if  you  will  tell  me  that  the  General  will  do  all  he  can  to  save  our 
lives,  we  will  come  in ;  but  if  we  are  going  to  be  killed  anyhow,  we  might 
just  as  well  tight  it  out  right  here,  because,  in  that  case,  a  few  of  us  might 
possibly  get  away." 

The  only  assurance  that  was  given  him  was  that  American  soldiers 
did  not  kill  their  prisoners. 


In  the  vicinity  of  P^ronteras  in  their  interviews  with  Captain  Lawton 
the  Indians  asked  terms  and  privileges  similar  to  those  they  had  before 
enjoyed.  They  sent  me  tw^o  messages  through  the  intei'preters,  and  made 
most  urgent  appeals  to  see  the  department  commander.  I  replied  to 
Captain  Lawton  tiiat  tiieir  requests  could  not  be  granted,  and  that  he  was 
fully  authoi'ized  to  receive  their  surrender  as  prisoners  of  war  to  troojis  in 
the  field.    They  were  told  that  the  troops  were  brave  and  honest  men,  and 


l!ii  h  ! 


4 


>''!  i  «• 


!:  ii\ 


f' 


li 


;-  ■ 


m 


i!i;>i 


i^!  -■■"'. 


Ml 


518 


PEHSOXAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


that  if  tliey  tlirew  down  their  arms  and  phicod  themselves  at  the  mercy  of 
the  officers,  tiiey  vvonld  not  he  killed,  hiif  held  as  i)risoners  of  war  suhject, 
of  course,  fo  hi^j^her  h';^'al  iiiifhority.  They  promised  to  surrender  to  me  in 
pei-s(tn.  and  for  eleven  <la.\s  Capfain  Lnwfon's  comiujind  moved  north; 
(lei-onimo's  and  Natchez'  camp  moving'  parallel  with  it  and  frequently 
camping  near  it. 


ir^l::.^ 


1^3 


GEN  EH  A  I,  NELSON   A.  MILES. 


51  !l 


3rcy  of 
ubject, 
)  me  in 
north; 
[iiently 


CllAI'Ti:i{   XL. 
End  of  thk  Apaciik  War. 

PRI'.I.IMIN  MilKS     ol-     SiKHKNIWMt —   \n      ImiMV       I  I(  isr  \(  i  I:  —  (iii|\(i       IN       I'i:i!S(i\      Tii    MlMM'     ■I'lIK     IN- 
DIANS—  ('(iiii\(;K    iiK   OcricKKs — I,ii:i  ri:N  \Ni'    IJi  (  Ki:it.    wd    "  Kickkk's    Cvnon" — Ai!i!i\vi. 

Al'    .SKIM.iri'iPN     t'vNiiN- — N'iMI'ltV   (  i  lOKi  )N  I  Mi )  —  A    <iri:srinN    111'    TkUMS  —  (ii:U(iNIMiP   AND    riiK 

lli:i.r!isTAT  —  Ti:i.i,iN(i  imik  ('dii;i'  ok  tiii:  l>l:sTlN^  or  His  'riiiiu:— Hon  Nkiciikz  \V  \s 

liWdldll  T    IN  —  ClIAU  XC'I'KK    AND   DkKSS  111'  (rKUiiMMo's      I'.VND —  I  1 1  >  W  (  '  lil  M  I's     \\'|:UK 

C'lonii  TiKD —  DiiKici  i.TiKs  ur  ■i'iii:('i\ii.  l'ip\vi;i!  IS  l)i:  \i.!N(i  w  I  I'll  Ur.vKd  \Di;  Indi  \Ns 

—  'riiK  I'^iri'.ci'  III'  I'liK  (!AMi*.M(i\  I'.  IIS  Till-:  ( >i'H'i('i:iis  —  A  it  it  xnciomkms  a'I'  I'iiut 

Jiowii; — Mi;i'.i'iN<i  iiK  (»i'i'i('i:i!s  and  'I'iiimk  Famii.iks — l)i:i' \  mi  ui:  nv  iiu-: 

LnDIXNS   I'dK   ri.iiUIDA  —  "A'l.D    '.AN(i    Svnk"  —  KlOKI.INC    dl'     III  I'.  (  '  ITI- 

zi:ns  III'  AiuziiNA  Tiiw  AHD'i'iiio  Ai'\(iii;s —  Kitkci'  ok  |{i:miivai.  I'i'mn 

N'ai.i  i:s  IN  Tin;  TKHiui'Ditv  —  ("oi.onki,   \\'\iii:'s   'I"\sk   in    I!k- 

.Mi'ViNti  THK   Indians  kkom   I-'okt  Akaciik — I;i:m  utK  \r.i." 

ESCAI'IO    AND    UkTIUN  IIK  A  SiNCl.K    In1i|\N  —  IdKVS   AND 

i!.  .'.•or  1 1  INS  OK  I'liK  Indians  Wiiii.k  on  i  hiiTh  \in  — 
Til."    lvKM.\iNiN(i   Sm.\i,i,  Hand   ok    IIosiii.ks, 

AND  TllKII!    FiNAI,    Cvi'TIKK — .VtTKMI'TKD 

Ksi'Al'KoK    .M.\N('.I  S    KltiiM     A'I'ltMN  — 

TlillilTK     I'll  TIIK    OkK1('I:Us     Ivn- 

ll.\(iKD    IN      I'lli;    ('AMI'\l(iN. 

EVEKAL  nios,sa<j;(\<  wore  roccMvod  l>y  nio  from  Captain  I^awton 
reporting  his  pro<;ress  and  siicco.s,-;.  and  I  also  understood  from 
him  that  the  Indians  desired  to  see  me  in  person.  lie  was 
convinced  that  they  were  woin  down  to  the  point  of  snhmission. 
I  did  not  intend  to  have  any  failure  or  decei)tion.  oi-  a  i)reten(led 
surrender  that  would  jjjive  them  a  chance  to  escape.  I  therefore 
sent  word  to  Lawton  that  he  was  authorized  to  receive  their 
surrendei'  at  any  time,  and  that  that  was  all  the  authority  the 
trooj)s  had.  We  had  not  the  pardoning  power,  and  we  had  no 
jurisdiction  as  to  the  punishment  of  their  crimes.  They  were  regarded  as 
outlaws  and  hostile  lO  the  government.  They  iiad  been  making  war  against 
the  peace  of  the  Territory,  and  they  must  surrender  as  [)risoners  of  war 
without  any  assurances  as  to  the  future.  He  replied  that  they  were 
anxious  to  surrender,  hut  only  to  the  highest  anthority.  and  wanted  me  to 
go  down  and  meet  them.  I  informed  him  that  I  did  not  care  to  do  so 
unless  they  gave  me  some  assurance  of  their  purpose  to  surrender,  and  that 


U'  '■:  I 


IN  i 


:\i' 


I 


520 


PK|{S()\AI,  IfKCOM.KrnoNS  OF 


they  wt'i-i'  actiii<;  in  pntiro  ^'ood  faith,  and  statod  to  liiin  that  tho  host  way 
was  for  them  to  solid  some  hosia^n*  as  :•  ^"innintt'c  of  their  intention.  On 
receiving  this  message  (Jeronimo  sent  liis  own  hrother  to  Fort  Bowie  to 
remain  tliere  as  a  hostage. 

Captain  hawton  notified  me  tliat  this  hosta<i;e  had  started,  and  in  con- 
sideration of  this  fact  and  in  comidiance  with  Lawtons  earnest  ain)eal  I 
made  arranjt^ements  to  start  on  SeptenilxM'  'J.  and  moved  south  sixty-tive 
miles  witli  Lieutenant  Dapray,  A.  !).("..  and  a  suitahh*  escort.  1  must  con- 
fess that  1  went  with  some  forebodiiijj^s,  thou;j;h  I  still  had  hoi)e  that  \\\v 
promises  of  (Jeronimo  would  he  fulMlled.  I  had  received  infornuition  that 
the  Indians  had  ^one  into  jjawton's  camp,  and  that  some  of  his  oHicers  had, 
at  a  very  ^veui  risk  and  with  a  dariufj;  that  was  perhaps  somewhat  reck- 
less, ^one  into  the  camp  of  the  sava^^es.  I  knew  tliat  they  were  expert 
riHemen  and  ^ood  pistol  shots,  and  would  sell  their  lives  very  dearly  if  the 
Indians  attempted  to  take  advantajj^e  of  them.  At  the  same  time  1  would 
not  have  sacrificed  one  of  thos(>  valiuihle  lives  for  the  whoK'  Apache  camp. 

This  state  of  affairs  ^ave  me  much  uneasiness  as  1  nuide  the  lon<;  journey 
to  meet  Captain  jjawton.  1  took  with  me  hoth  saddle  horses  and  wa^n)ns. 
and  made  the  journey  riding'  sometimes  in  the  saddle  and  sometimes  with 
the  driver  on  the  box.  I  had  with  me  a  heliostat  ()})erator.  and  as  we  occa- 
sionally came  in  sight  of  a  mountain  peak  on  which  \\i\s  one  of  our  sta- 
tions, I  would  open  communication  with  it  and  through  it  with  Fort  Bowie 
and  Captain  Lawton,and  with  other  stations.  1  received  communications 
from  Lawton  and  sent  cautionary  dis))atches  to  him,  directing  his  otticeis 
not  to  i)lace  themselves  where  the  Indians  could  take  advantage  of  them  to 
seize  them  and  hold  for  a  ransom,  or  for  enforcing  such  terms  as  they  might 
dictate,  or  kill  them. 

The  first  night  out  we  camped  at  Rucker  Canon,  a  rugged,  desolate 
region  named  for  the  gallant  young  otHcer,  Lieutenant  Kucker,  who  lost  his 
life  in  crossing  the  treacherous  torrent  that  sweeps  down  the  canon  that 
now  bears  his  name.  His  father.  General  Rucker,  the  aged  and  distinguished 
veteran  of  vour  score  years,  still  lives  in  the  capital  of  the  nation. 

The  next  day  we  journeyed  on.  and  joined  the  camp  of  Captain  Lawton 
at  Skeleton  Canon  on  the  evening  of  September  8.  This  canon  had  been 
a  favorite  resort  of  the  Indians  in  former  years,  and  was  well  suited  by 
name  and  tradition  to  witness  the  closing  scenes  of  suc'i  an  Indian  war. 

Soon  after  my  reaching  Lawton's  command,  Geronimo  rode  into  oui- 
camp  and  dismounted.  He  was  one  of  the  brightest,  most  resolute,  deter- 
mined looking  men  that  I  have  ever  encountered.     He  had  the  clearest. 


IJKNKIJAI,  NKI.SO.N   A.   MILKS, 


0-21 


Mhuippst.  (lark  eyo  T  tliink  I  liavp  ovor  soon,  unless  it  was  that  of  (JiMipral 
Slicnnan  when  he  was  at  tho  priint'  (if  life  antl  just  at  tlip  dose  of  the 
^Mcat  war.  Kvery  niovjMncnt  indicatcci  powci'.  (Mici'^'V  and  (Ictcrniination. 
In  everything'  he  did,  he  had  a,  purpose.  Of  course  aftei' lieiii^'  hunted  over 
these  desolate  valleys,  mountain  crests  auddai'k  ravines  until  he  was  worn 
down,  he  was  an.xious  to  nuike  the  hest  terms  possilde.  His  ^jreatest 
anxiety  seemed  to  he  to  know  whethei'  we  would  treat  him  fairly  and 
without  treachery,  oi",  as  soon  as  he  and  his  followers  w(M-e  in  our  hands, 
order  them  shot  to  death,  as  had  hecn  the  fate  of  sonu'  of  his  peo|ile.  lie 
first  wanted  to  surrender  as  they  had  lieen  accustonu'd  to  surr;'iider  ltefor(». 
hy  ^'oin«;  l)ack  to  Apache  and  takiu<,'  their  pi'opei'ty,  arms,  stolen  stock,  and 
evei-ythin;;  with  them.  I  replie(l  to  this  iiroi>osal  that  I  was  there  to  con- 
tirni  what  Captain  Kawton  had  told  them,  and  that  was  tlut  they  must 
surrender  absolutcdy  as  i)risoners  of  war.  They  could  m/f  ^'o  lia(d\  to  K01I 
Apache  as  they  had  done  on  previous  occasions,  hut  whatever  we  told 
them  to  do  that  they  must  conform  to.  "And  more  than  that."  I  said,  "it 
is  of  no  use  for  you  to  ask  to  ^o  l)a(d\  to  Kort  Ai)ache,  for  there  are  no 
Apaches  there  now." 

"What,  no  Apaches  in  the  White  Mountains.^"  he  asked  in  suri)rise. 

"No."  Isaid. 

"  Wheie  have  thev  i^one?"  he  asked. 


I  hav 


e  mo 


ved  them  all  out  of  the  c(uintry."  I  re{)lie(l.     "Von  have 


been  at  war  with  the  white  ])eople  for  many  years,  and  have  been  en},M<;e(l 
in  constant  hostilities.  1  have  thought  it  best  that  you  should  be  removed 
from  this  country  to  some  place  where  thes(>  hostilities  cannot  be  re- 
sumed." 

This  seemed  todishearten  him  more  thru  any  other  fact  of  the  situation. 
The  idea  that  there  were  no  Apaches  in  the  White  Mountains  was  some- 
thint>'  that  he  had  not  anticipated,  and  he  ^eenied  to  l)e  wholly  unnumned. 
He  then  said  : 

"We  are  ^oiiig  to  do  whatever  },ti  say  and  will  re(iuest  l)ut  one  con- 
diti(m." 

"What  is  that?"  Tasked. 

"That  yon  will  spare  our  lives." 

I  saw  at  once  that  he  still  entertained  the  idea  that  we  mij^dit  kill  them 
if  they  surrendered,  and  said  to  him  : 

"It  is  not  the  custom  of  otlic(M-s  of  the  United  States  army  to  misuse  or 
destroy  their  prisoners.  So  long  as  you  are  our  prisoners  we  shall  not  kill 
you  but  shall  treat  you  justly.     After  that  you  must  look  to  the  President 


f 


i 

1  ^ 


\'n    ^ 


I    ', 


I      !- 


f:4i 


ii' '  I 


.VJJ 


rKI{S()NAI,   |{K(()IJ,I<;(  TIONS  Ol' 


of  tlie  I'liitcd  States,  who  is  the  ^rivat  father  of  all  the  liMliaiis  as  well  as 
of  all  the  white  |t(>o|)le.  lie  has  control  especially  over  judians.  Me  is  a 
just  man.  and  will  treat  you  justly  ami  fairly." 

I  (lid  not  try  toexjdain  to  thissavaj^e  the  fact  that  I  had  no  pardoning' 
power;  that  I  had  no  authoritv  to  niitijjfate  the  punishment  for  theii- crimes, 
(»!•  if  they  were  tiied  and  cokivicted  to  pardon  them,  hut  that  that  authority 
was  one  of  the  prero^'atives  of  the  (dii<'f  ma;^Mstrate  alone.  Therefore.  I 
inerelv  told  him  that  he  must  rely  u[)on  the  i'resident  for  the  character  of 

his  treatment,  aiul  that  I  wasj^'oin^' 
to   move    him.   as    I     had    already 
moved  the  other  Indians,  out  of  the 
country.     I  explained   to  him  that 
his  |»eople  were  then  in  three 
places.     I'ai't  of  them   in  l*'lor- 
ida.  part  had  recently  lie»Mi  at 
Fort    Apache,    and     part 
'■■-'-    wow  then  with  him  :  hut 
^^^^::z:^'  fiijif    \y,,    were   ^'oin;;    to 

m(»\'e  all  to  sonu'  one  place. 
To  illustrate  this  to  him. 
.    ~  I  pi(d\e(l  up    from  the  sand 

three  pehhlesin  fi'ont  of  me, 
and  plaein^^  them  on  the  <.:i"ound  sep- 
arated them  so  as  to  form  the  three 
l)oints  of  a  triangle,  each  repi'esent- 
in^  u  part  of  the  ti'ihe,  and  showed  him  that  we 
W'ere  moving'  two  |»ortions  of  the  ti'ihe  toward 
the  third  pehble  which  formed  the  apex  of  the 
trian^^de:  I  showcnl  him  that  I  could  not  tell  what 
their  future  would  he,  but  that  one  tliiui;  was  positive:  he  must  do 
whatever  he  was  directed  to  do.  He  as.sented  to  this  and  said  he  would 
brin^'  his  camp  in  early  the  following  mornin<;. 

Jde  impressed  me  with  a  belief  in  his  sincerity,  and  1  allowed  him  to 
return  to  his  camp,  not  far  distant.  It  was  one  of  tlio.se  times  when  one 
has  to  place  confidence  even  in  a  sava<;e.  When  he  mounted  his  horse  and 
turned  his  hack  to  us  I  realized  we  had  very  little  control  over  him;  still, 
he  had  placed  his  brother  in  our  hands  as  a  pled«;e  of  his  ^ood  faith. 

True  to  his  word  he  brouiiht  in  his  band  next  mornin*^.  Ihit  Natchez, 
who  was  a  younger  man  and  the  hereditary  chief  of  the  Apaches,  still 


lv\n.MNI\(i    TIIK    SlTl'ATIOX. 


(iKNKKAl-   NKI.SON    A.   MII-KS. 


.VJ:{ 


svt'll  us 
ll««  is  a 

'(lolling 
criiiu's. 
tliority 
'ioiv.   I 
ictcr  of 
IS  ^'oin^' 
already 
itoftho 
iin  that 
in  thivc 
ill  Klor- 
Ix'^Mi  at 
1(1     part 
im  ;  I) lit 
oiii!^    to 
ic  placo. 
I  to  liiiii, 
he  sand 
it  of  inc, 
iind  st'i)- 
he  tlu'eo 
'present- 
tluit  we 

toward 
X  of  the 

11  what 
innst  do 
le  would 

1  him  to 
^hon  one 
loi'se  and 
im;  still, 
th. 

Natchez, 
hes.  still 


remaiiMMJ  out.  Why  he  had  done  so  I  did  not  know.  iin<i  it  i:;\\o  me  some 
<->)ii«'ei-n.  I  had  acomcrsat ion  with  iicroniino  in  which  I  iiidiir*.>d  liim  to 
talk  ((nit«^  freely,  iind  then  tried  to  explain  to  him  the  nselessness  of  con- 
tendiii;^'  aijjiinst  the  military  authority  of  the  white  race,  owin;^'  to  our 
many  superior  advantage's.  I  told  him  that  we  had  the  use  of  steam,  and 
('<)idd  nn)ve  troops  with  ;;reat  rapidity  from  one  part  of  the  <M»iintry  to 
another:  tiiat  we  also  had  the  t(deLrrapli  and  the  heliostat.  hoth  superior 
to  any  of  their  methods  of  eommnnicatiim.  lie  want<'d  to  know  what  that 
was.  and  I  said  I  would  e.\i)lain  it  to  him. 

We  were  then  near  a  pool  of  water  with  no  rover  overhead.  The  oper- 
ator had  placed  his  lieliostat  <m  an  e\tem[»ori/ed  trii><»l  made  l>y  placing' 
three  sticks  toj;etlier,     1  said  to  (Jer<mimo: 

'■  We  can  watch  y(Mir  movements  and  send  messa;,'es  over  the  tops  of 
these  mountains  in  a  snnill  part  of  one  day.  and  oNcr  a  distance  which  it 
would  take  a  man  mounted  on  a  swift  pony  twenty  days  to  travel." 

(ieronimo's  face  assumed  an  air  of  curiosity  and  incredulity,  and  he 
said  : 

-Mow  is  that?" 

I  told  him  I  would  show  lum.  and.  takin<;  him  down  to  the  heliostat. 
asked  the  operator  to  open  communication  with  the  nearest  station 
which  was  about  lifteen  miles  away  in  an  air  line,  lie 
immediately  turn(>d  his  instrument  upon  that  point  and 
Hashed  a  si{j;nal  of  attention.  As  (|uick  as  thou^dit  the 
sunlight  was  Hashetl  hack  aj^MUi. 

As  I  have  previously  had  occasion  to  remark,  when 
an  Indian  .sees  somethinj,'  that  he  cannot  comprehend, 
he  attrildiobS  it  to  some  superior  power  heyond  his 
knowled|i;e  and  control,  and  immediately  feels  that  he 
is  in  the  presence  of  a  spirit.  .\s  those  stalwart  warriors 
in  Montana  in  usinjjr  the  telephone  for  the  first  time  had 
given  it  the  name  of  the  ''  whispei'ing  spirit."  so  this  type  of  the  wild  south- 
ern savage  attributed  the  ])ower  he  saw  to  something  more  than  a  mere 
human  being.  He  told  me  that  he  had  observed  these  Hashes  ii))on  the  moun- 
tain heights,  and  believing  them  to  be  spii-its.  had  avoided  them  by  going 
around  those  points  of  tlie  mountains,  never  realizing  that  it  was  a  subtle 
power  used  by  his  enemies,  andthat  those  enemies  wei'e  themselves  located 
upon  these  lofty  points  of  observation  and  communication.  1  explained 
to  him  that  it.  the  instrument,  was  not  only  harmless,  but  of  great  use,  and 
said  lo  him- 


VlCTOliM,    Al'AC'IIK  (.'iiii:i'. 


,.    1 


^ 

1 

\ 

1     A 

t 

1  'i 

i    1 

H 

^h^ 


I 


524 


PEIiSONAL  KKC'OLLKCTIONS  OF 


h  ■  ^' 


iv  t 


"From  here  to  that  point  is  a  distance  of  nearly  a  day's  march.  From 
that  point  we  can  communicate  nil  over  thi-;  country,  1  can  send  a  mes- 
sa^'e  hack  r  >  Fort  liowie.  sixty-tive  miles  away,  or  to  Fort  Apache,  nearly 
three  hundied  miles  from  here,  and  ^et  an  answer  before  the  sun  goes 
vlown  in  the  west." 

He  comi)r»^hended  its  power  and  immediately  put  my  statement  to  the 
*^est  by  sayinjjf: 

"If  you  can  talk  with  Fort  Howie,  do  this:  I  sent  my  brother  to  you 
there  as  a  guarantee  of  my  good  faith;  now  tell  me  if  my  brother  i:  nil 
right."     I  said  to  the  operator: 

"Open  communicatioi;  with  Fort  Howie  and  ask  tlieollicer  in  command. 
Major  Beaumont,  or  Captain  'riiom[)son,  my  Adjutant-(ieneral.  if  (Jeron- 
imo's  brother  is  at  Fort  Bowie. 

"  Now,"  I  said  to  Ueronimo,  "you  must  wait,  for  that  inciuiry  with  the 
reply  will  have  to  be  repeated  six  times," 

In  a  short  time  the  answer  came  back  that  (Jeronimo's  brother  was 
—  .■    :        there,  was  well,  and  waiting  for  him  to 
come.     This  struck  the  savage  with  awe, 
and  evidently  nnide   a  strong  impression 
upon  him.     I  noticed  that  he  said  some- 
thing to  one  of  the  war- 
riors close  by  him,   at 
which  the  warrior  qui- 
etly   turned    npon   his 
heel,    walked     back    a 
short  distance  to  where 
his  pony  was  lariated, 
jumped  on  his  back,  and 

rode  rapidly  back  in  the 

^^^^  direction  of  the  moun- 
tains from  whence  Ger- 
onimo  had  come.  This 
excited  my  curiosity, 
and  1  asked  the  inter- 
preter, who  was  stand- 
(iKiMMMo  AND  nil:  H i:i locR APii .  jj^tr    npjir     by,     wliat 

(leronimo  said  to  that  young  warrior.  The  interpreter  replied  :  "He  told 
him  to  go  and  tell  Natchez  that  there  was  a  power  here  which  he  could 
not   understiiiid  ;  and  to  come  in,  and  come  quick." 


GKNKUAI-  NKLSON   A.  MILKS. 


The  heliostiit  had  performed  its  hist  and  best  work,  and  in  a  few  hours 
Natchez  came  ridin<;  down  from  the  mountains  with  his  hand  of  warriors 
and  their  families  and  came  into  camp,  tliough  with  much  hesitation  and 
reserve.  They  dismounted  within  a  short  distance  of  th(»  cam})  and 
Natchez  with  an  elastic,  active  step  came  forward,  with  an  expression 
on  his  face  of  awe  and  uncertainty,  and  yet  express! n<;  a  desire  to 
do  what  was  expected  of  him.  All  his  acts  were  j.rraceful  and  courtly. 
He  exhibited  a  digniMed  reserve,  and  thou^di  he  appean^l  to  he  anxious, 
yet  seemed  always  conscious  that  he  was  the  here<litary  chief,  and 
son  of  the  great  C'ochise.  His  father  had  been  one  of  the  most  noted 
men  in  that  country,  and  had  been  at  the  head  of  the  Apaches 
for  many  years.  Natchez  was  a  tall,  slender,  lithe  fellow,  six  feet 
two.  strai^rht  as  an  arrow,  and.  1  judj^e,  was  of  about  the  aj^e  <)f 
thirty  or  thirty-Hve  years,  suspicious,  watchful  and  dignitied  in  every 
movement. 

The  Indians  that  surrendered  with  (leronimo  have  probably  never  been 
matched  since  the  days  of  Kobin  Hood.  Many  of  the  warriors  wei"e  out- 
laws from  their  own  tribes,  and  their  boys  of  from  twelve  to  eighteen 
were  the  very  worst  and  most  vicious  of  all.  Th(\v  were  clad  in  su<'h  a 
way  as  to  disguise  themselves  as  much  as  possible.  Masses  of  gi-a,ss, 
bunches  of  weeds,  twigs  or  small  iMuighs  were  fastcMied  undcM"  their  hat- 
bands very  profusely,  and  also  upon  their  shoulders  and  backs.  TluMr 
clothing  was  trimmed  in  su<'h  a  way  that  when  lying  upon  the  gi'ound  in 
a  bunch  of  grass  or  at  the  head  of  a  I'axine.  if  they  rmiaincMl  p(M'fectly 
silent  it  was  as  impossible  to  discover  them  as  if  they  had  been  a  bird  or 
a  serpent,  it  was  in  this  wav  that  they  were  wont  to  commit  tluMr  w<M-st 
crime^^.  An  unsuspecting  ranchman  or  min(>r  going  along  a  I'oad  (u-  trail 
would  pass  within  a  few  feet  of  these  concealed  Apaches,  and  the  lirst 
intimation  he:  would  have  of  theii'  i)resen('e  would  be  a  l)ullet  thi'ough  his 
heart  or  lirain.  The  Indians,  when  captured,  wen^  abundantly  supplied 
with  stokn  property  and  were  w(dl  mounted  on  Mexican  horses.  Oiu' 
ditliculty  that  would  have  been  found  in  case  they  had  been  turned  over 
to  the  civil  courts  for  trial  and  lumishmcMit  would  have  been  this:  Indict- 
ments would  probably  ha\(^  been  found  against  the  principal  Indians,  but 
the  young  uhmi  and  i»oys  who  had  undoubtedly  committed  the  larger 
nund)er  of  crimes  wt)uld  have  escaped,  and  remaining  in  that  count  it 
Avould  have  returned  to  the  warpath.  Many  of  thes(»  were  afterward 
sent  to  the  Carlisle  school,  and  their  improvement  was  very  marked  and 
of  a  permanent  character. 


'     i 


^    i 


'|l  Ml-? 


I 


'li-l.ii;.  i 


'■»  ■     ■ 


5-26 


PEHSONAI.  I{h:( -or. LECTIONS  OK 


lint  wliat  a  chan|j^e  had  come  over  tlie  orave  fellows  who  had  run  them 
down!  When  I  had  last  seen  Lawton  he  was  in  full  form,  but  with  a  grave 
aspect  of  countenance.  Now,  he  was  gaunt  and  lean,  having  lost  forty 
pounds  in  weight,  hut  his  face  was  lighted  up  with  the  sparkle  and  joy  of 
the  conscious  victor,  as  much  as  to  say,  "I  present  you  the  trophies  of 
the  hard,  though  fairly  won,  chase."  His  counterpart  in  transformation 
was  Captain  Wood,  his  faithful  and  true  assistant  through  it  all,  who  had 
lost  nearly  thirty  i)ounds  in  w-eight. 

The  early  part  of  the  day,  September  4.  was  occupied  in  gathering 
in  the  Indians,  in  explaining  to  them  what  w^as  expected,  and 
what  would  be  required  of  them,  and.  as  has  been  related,  in 
receiving  the  surrender  of  Natchez  and  lu'eparing  for  the 
morrow.  As  1  did  not  wish  to  make  another  camp  I  arranged 
for  an  early  start  the  next  day.  Thus  the  after- 
noon soon  wore  away  ;  the  intense  heat  was 
followed  by  dai-k,  threatening  clouds  and  a  fierce 
thunder  storm  that  I  have  rarely,  if 
ever,  seen  equaled  in  the  volume  of 
the  tempest  or  the  explosion  and 
roar  of  the  electricity  with  which 
the  atmosphere  was  charged. 
It  was  a  strange  scene  when 
enemies — victors  and  captives  — 
sought  shelter  from  the  fury  of 
the  elements,  (ileronimo,  Nat- 
chez, Dapray.  Law  ton  and  myself 
were  in  a  small  canvas-covered 
Avagon  ;  others  were  under  the 
wagon,  and  officers,  soldiers  and 
as  best  ihey  could  under  the  spare 
shelter  of  a  few^  pieces  of  canvas.  It  was  a  tit  ending  to  the  tragedies  that 
had  been  enacted  over  those  fields  and  amid  those  canons,  and  I  could  but 
ho})e  that  there  was  in  truth  a  silver  lining  to  that  war  cloud. 

The  next  dsiy  after  the  surrender  of  Natchez  I  started  with  escort  of  a 
troop  of  cavalry  for  Fort  Bowie,  accompanied  by  Geronimo,  Natchez,  and 
four  other  Indians.  We  reached  that  post,  a  distance  of  sixty-five  miles, 
shortly  after  dark,  and  Captain  Lawton,  following  with  the  remainder  of 
the  Indians,  ai-rived  there  three  days  later.  On  our  way  to  the 
fort,     as     we     were     riding     along,     Geronimo,     looking    tow^ard     the 


JiK-y 


Al'ACIlK    AVaITING    l-oli    A    VU'TIM. 


Indians    were  huddled    together 


i 

r    1 

:  i 

i   .} 

i 

u 

GKNERAT,  NEI.SOX  A.  MILES. 


r)-27 


Chiricahua  Mountains,  referred  to  the  raids  of  his  hand  in  that  rowntry. 
He  said: 

"This  is  the  fourth  time  I  have  surrendered."     I'pon  which  I  answered; 

"And  I  think  it  is  the  last  time  you  will  ever  have  occasion  to  sur- 
render." 

As  we  moved  along  at  a  rapid  trot,  and  occasionally  at  a  gallop,  1 
directed  Lieutenant  Wilder  to  ride  forward  to  Fort  Bowie  and  notify  the 
commanding  oiticers  of  our  approach,  in  order  that  he  might  arrange  for 
room  at  the  garrison,  and  have  accomntodations  prepared  for  the  prisoners, 
and  provide  the  necessary  guards. 

At  Fort  Bowie  was  a  small  garrison,  and.  like  all  t'^e  posts  in  that 
country,  it  had  been  in  great  anxiety,  and  practically  besieged.  No  one 
could  leave  there  unless  armed  or  under  strong  escort,  and  the  families  of 
othcers  had  waited  day  after  day  and  week  after  week  for  tidings  from 
those  in  the  tield.  Lieutenant  Wilder's  family  was  there,  and  about  the 
time  he  arrived,  his  wife,  an  accomplished  gentlewonum.  was  taking  a 
walk  with  her  little  children.  It  so  happened  that  lier  little  boy  had  run 
some  distance  ahead  and  out  of. her  sight,  to  the  outer  edge  of  the  i)ost, 
just  outside  the  buildings.  As  the  gallant  young  ofhcer  dashed  up  to  the 
post  the  first  object  he  discovered  was  his  little  boy.  and  leaping  down,  the 
child  and  the  hero  were  quickly  clasped  in  each  others  arms.  Lifting  his 
boy  to  the  saddle,  he  remounted,  and  with  his  son  in  front  of  him,  rode  into 
the  post  carrying  the  good  news,  the  first  joyful  tidings  to  the  young  wife 
and  mother  being  the  sudden  appearance  of  her  husband  and  son  together, 
the  boy  proud  to  bring  home  his  father,  the  father  proud  that  he,  with 
others,  could  bring  in  their  old  enemies  as  prisoners.  The  news  w.as 
almost  too  good  for  the  garrison  to  believe,  for  it  meant  rest  and  peace, 
and  the  end  of  the  terrible  dangers  through  which  they  had  passed. 

On  arriving  at  Fort  Bowie,  in  order  not  to  be  disturbed  by  the  civil 
authorities,  or  have  any  contest  with  them.  1  put  a  strong  guard  around 
the  reservation,  which  was  quite  an  extensive  tract  of  land.  The  Indians 
were  dismounted,  disarmed,  and  placed  under  a  strong  escort,  and  on  the 
Sth  of  September,  under  the  charge  of  Captain  Lawton,  were  started  east 
from  Bowie  Station  on  the  line  of  the  Southern  I'acihc  Kailroad.  As  the 
procession  was  about  to  move  from  Fort  Bowie,  the  ))and  of  the  Fourth 
Cavalry  was  stationed  on  the  parade  ground,  and.  partly  it  is  to  be  pi-e- 
sumed  through  sentiment,  and  partly  through  derision  on  the  occasion  of 
the  final  adieu  of  the  troops  to  the  Apaches  whom  they  had  been  hunting 
and  fighting  for  so  numy  years,  it  struck  up  'Auld  liang  Syne:" 


N 


H  i 


I  I 


^ji  \ 


I'i''  I  I 


M.— :il 


528 


PEIJSOXAL  i:Kr01J.K(Tl()NS  OF 


*■'    ': 


I  ■■;, 


i  ■  i, 


"  Should  iuild  apquaintance  be  forirot. 
And  iii'ver  brouirlit  to  mind  V  " 

The  humor  of  the  situation  was  evidently  not  apparent  to  the  Apaches, 
and  they  could  not  understand  what  occasioned  the  mirth  of  the  soldiei's. 

So  intense  was  the  feelinjj^  of  the  citizens  of  that  community  that  when 
they  heard  tlie  Ai)aches  had  been  Ciiptured  they  consulted  amon<j:  them- 
selves alon^  the  line  of  the  railroad  about  destroyin<j^  the  sup|)0!'ts  of  some 
of  tl.r"  bi-idf^es,  and  thus  throwing'  the  train  down  some  precijiice.  jhit 
mindful  of  the  f:ict  that  such  a  course  would  also  cause  the  death  of  many 
})rave  ollicers  and  soldiers  who  were  t^niardiiiij  the  Apaches,  they  refrained 
from  carryinoj  out  their  purpose  of  revenge.  Instead,  they  gathered  in 
large  numbers  at  the  different  stations  to  see  their  old  enemies  pass  out  of 
the  country  forever. 

Many  i)eople  who  had  lost  comrades  and  relatives,  seeing  these  savages 
fn  route  to  the  far  eastern  country,  were  overcome  by  their  feelings  and 
their  faces  were  bedewed  with  tears  of  grief  or  joy.  A  very  great  change 
immediately  occurred  in  the  values  of  pi-(»p(M-ty  in  thrt  country.  [Voph> 
who  had  abandoned  their  mines  and  had  not  seen  them  f(U'  months  or 
years  return(>d  to  them  again.  The  value  of  horse  and  cattle  ranches 
increased  lifty  per  cent.,  as  it  was  then  safe  for  men  to  travel  without  arms. 

These  Indians  were  for  a  time  detained  at  San  Antonio.  Texas, but  were 
subse([uently  for\Aarded  to  their  destination  in  Florida. 

I  left  Fort  Bowie  on  the  Sth  of  September,  at  the  same  time  as  the 
Indians,  and  accordingly  did  not  receive  a  telegram  concerning  their  dis- 
position that  ariived  at  that  station  on  the  afternf)on  of  tha^  day,  and  had 
no  knowledge  of  it  until  the  Indians  liad  passed  out  of  my  department  and 
were  east  of  El  I'aso,  Texas,  ni  rmifc  to  Floiida,  and  I  had  .rrned  north  to 
go  to  Albuquerque.  New  Mexico,  to  conduct  the  rem{;val  of  the  Indians 
from  Fort  Apache  who.  under  instructions  received,  had  been  ordei'ed  to 
be  moved  direct  ^o  Fort  Mai'ion.  Florida. 

"While  the  above  described  movements  w-ere  in  progress.  Colonel  Wade 
was  (juietly  moving  the  Indians  fnmi  Fv)rt  Apache  over  a  mountainous 
country,  adistance  of  nearly  a  hundred  miles,  to  Holbrook  on  the  Atlar.tic 
and  I'acilic  Railway.  At  llolbi-ook  he  found  a  train  of  twelve  cars  and  two 
lo<'(nnotives  which  1  had  sent  him,  and  put  the  Indians  on  boaid  these  on 
the  1^)th  of  Se])tember.  Twenty-four  hours  later  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  him  at  the  depot  at  Albuquerque,  and  of  seeing  the  long  ti-aiii 
loaded  with  the  worst  element  that  ever  infested  that  country  glide  slowly 
past  on  its  w'ay  to  the  East. 


(i:.  .KHAI.  XKI.SON  A.  MII.KS. 


5'2'J 


Thus  fill-  Colonel  Wade  had  not  Inst  a  sinj^le  Indian  and  did  not  lose 
one  until  he  was  east  of  the  Mississippi  Kiver.  Just  after  they  passed  St. 
Louis  one  Indian  contrived  to  make  his  escape  from 
the  train,  despite  all  the  precauticnis  that  had  been 
taken.  True  to  his  wolfish  nature  he  succeeded  in 
avoidinijj  settlements  and  peoi»le  who 
would  be  likely  to  arrest  him,  and 
thouji:h  it  took  him  a  year  to  work 
his  way  back  to  the  San  t'arlos  reser- 
vation, he  finally  succeeded  in  doinu' 
it.  Like  a  hyena  he  occasionally,  ai 
lon^  intervals,  stole  down  up'Mi  the 
Indian  camp  at  San  Carlos,  captured  an  if..|j 
Indian  wonum, carried  her  back  r;  into 
the  mountains,  kept  her  for  several 
months,  then  cruelly  murdercHl  her  and 
I'eturned  to  repeat  the  same  crime. 
This  he  did  several  times,  and  his  move- 
ments were  as  secret  and  stealthy  as 
those   of    a   reptile.      One    Indian   ^irl  Apachh  I'.imi.i;. 

whom  he  had  captui-ed  made  her  escape  and  told  of  his 

habits   and  cruelty.     This  man  was  afterwards  reported 

killed  by  United  States  troops. 

The  Indians  on  board  the  train  had  not 
the  remotest  idea  whither  they  were  bein<; 
transported,  and  thoufj^h  every  elTort  was 
made  to  reassure  them  and  convince  them 
'^  that  they  would  receive  jtroper  treatment, 
yet  they  had  great  misgi\ings  and  were  in  a 
constant  state  of  alarm. 

They  had  n<>vor  been  on  a  train,  and 
some  of  them  Iwid  never  seen  a  locomotive. 
As  they  passed  into  a  long  tunnel  in  going 
eastward  they  conceived  the  i(l(>a  that  they 
were  going  into  the  earth,  and  uttered 
shrieks  of  terror.  WTum  the  train  passed 
out  at  the  other  end  of  the  tunnel  many 
WiiiTio  Peopm;.  of  them  were  found  under  the  benches. 

After  the  surrender  of  (ieronimo  and  Natchez,  a  snuill  band  of  hostiles 


LiTTi.B':  Mike,  Ixdiax  lii>v  l!i;.\;!i:i>  m 


^1 


\<\    I 


ii 


'     f. 

■  i  5 

If      1 

I 
'I 


I 


i 


1^': 


li'i  :J 


i 
■  1 


U  .■     i . 


'i:  * 


I' ' 


530 


I'KHSONAI-  HKrniJ.KCTIONS  OF 


'i; 


under  a  (;liief  named  Man<j:us,  who  had  not  been  witli  the  otlier  hostile.^, 
still  remained  out,  and  to  secure  them  I  or^'ani/ed  a  force  under  Lieuten- 
ant ('.  P.  Johnson,  who  followed  them  down  tl  fonj^di  parts  of  old  Mexico 
and  hack  up  into  and  tlirou<;h  New  IMexico.  On  the  14th  of  October, 
the  indians  havin<,'  l)een  reported  in  the  ve<j:ion  of  the  eastern 
border  of  Arizona,  Captain  Charles  L.  ("ooper.  of  the  Teiith  Cavalry,  with 
twenty  enlisted  men  and  two  scouts,  in  obedience  to  orders,  left  Foit 
Apache  to  proceed  in  search  of  them.  Altont  dark  on  the  17th,  he  found 
a  trail  goin^  w^est.  The  next  mornin<:^  he  took  up  ^his  t)-ail.  following;  it 
as  rapidly  as  the  extremely  ru^^ged  nature  of  the  country  would  allow,  and 
after  going  about  thirty  miles  obtained  sight  of  the  Indians,  and  was  at 
the  same  time  discovered  by  them.  He  was  then  at  the  base  of  an  al- 
most perpendicu- 
lar mountain,  two 
thousand  feet 
high,  over  the  top 
of  which  the  y 
were  just  passing. 
He  pursued  them 
over  this  moun- 
tain and  over  five 
others  equally  as 
high,  and  after  a 
hard  chase  of 
a))out    fifteen 

miles  the  Indians  were  ol)ligedto  abandon  their  stock,  and  again  take  to  the 
mountains.  But  the  troops  were  so  close  to  them  that  their  movements 
w^re  discernible,  and  one  after  another  was  hunted  down  until  all  were 
captured  but  three,  and  these  w  ere  soon  induced  to  surrender. 

The  Indians  captured  consisted  of  Chief  Mangus,  two  warriors,  three 
women,  two  boys  capable  of  bearing  arms,  one  girl  and  four  children  of 
various  ages.  On  the  HOth  of  October  this  party  left  Fort  Apache  for  Flor- 
ida, Mangus  and  the  two  other  men  l^eing  sent  to  Fort  Pickens,  and  the 
women  and  children  to  Foit  Marion.  One  of  the  men  died  on  the  way  but 
the  remainder  reached  Florida  safely  early  in  November. 

On  his  way  east  Mangus  made  a  desperate  attempt  to  escape  from  the 
train.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  handcuff  an  Indian  securely,  as  his  hands 
are  smaller  than  his  wrists,  and  on  this  occasion  Mangus  succeeded  in  re- 
moving   his    handcuffs   without    l)eing    observed.      Then    watching   his 


Officers  Wiid  Wkre  ExdAGEi)  i\  tiif.  OAi'Tri:i':  of  (iEEtoNiMo  at 

FnKT    BiiWIK,    AeUZhXA, 


;     I 

!     h 

|1(  : 

'"!      ; 

I       1! 


GENEliA].  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


Im)I.\.s    ^ 

1. 

How. 

2. 

Arrows. 

Sio'.ix  Fliij.'col('t  orl-'liitc. 
Cli'Vcniif  Klulc. 

rin-.M  i'.ni'  Itiilllcr. 

How  I'a.sc  imd  (Quiver,  miul( 

'  of  I'aiillicr  .Skin 

531 


^VKA^'(l.S.S    A.M)    C'rARMKNTS. 

7.    Sniux  I{iittl('.  made  /rom  Knds  of  Buffalo  Toes. 

^.     '  liijiMiii' Jlocca.xiiifs,  Beautifully  Kiiiliroidcnd  with 
Brads. 

0.  Clicyi-MMi' Toliai'co  I'oucli. 
IC.  Chfyciiiic  Bciidi'd  Cnid'o. 
.U.    Choycniu' S(iuaw  Dress. 


|l|| 


I    1 


M  I 


1 1 


\   I     I 


^' 


ii'it 


A'' 


I 


i*  li 


^- 


?1 


w, 


IP 

T 


J"' 


m^ 


!(■■■  '1 


5;J2 


PEHSOVAL  lll'JCOLLECTIONS  OF 


opportunity  he  jumped  through  the  j^lass  of  the  window  hy  which  )ie  liad 
been  sitting,  though  he  must  have  known  that  the  chances  of  suicide  were 
numy  to  one  of  his  escaping  alive.  The  train  was  stopped,  and  he  was 
found  in  a  stunned  condition,  though  not  seriously  injured.  He  is  still 
alive  and  with  the  tribe,  now  in  the  Indian  Territory. 

Un  the  8th  of  ^ovemb(>r,  18H7,  1  was  presented  by  the  citizens  of 
Arizona  with  a  very  beautifully  ornamented  sword  in  token  ol  tlicir 
appreciation  of  my  services  in  ridding  their  country  of  the  A])aches.  The 
ceremonies  attendin*,'  the  prestMitation  were  lonj^'  and  interesting',  coni- 
niem'iii^' v'th  a  street  i»arade  at  :2.oO"Md  mdin^' with  a  j^fiand  ivcepiiuu 
and  ball  a,  the  San  Xavi  w  ilotei.  'i'v-  -„  u,   ii  vhe  evening,'. 

I  cannot  close  this  cha])tei  wi;'i<  ui  =i  more  special  tribute  to  Lawtou, 
AVood.  Ilatlield,  Benson,  Wilder.  Bi^v;n,  Cl'irke  and  the  other  ofiicers  who 
so  zealously,  couraj^eously  and  [tersistently  pin  sued  the  hostiles  to  the  end. 
Their  services,  like  those  of  Bennett.  Hale,  Biddle,  Baldwin.  Snyder,  Baird. 
Maus,  Casey  and  othei's  who  supported  me  in  former  campaij?ns,  weie 
invaluable  to  the  country.  They  have  passed  years  on  the  remote  frontier, 
some  of  them  with  their  families,  relined  and  f^entle  people.  experiencin<i 
all  the  hardships  and  enjoying  few  of  the  ameliorations  of  army  life,  and 
their  services  and  those  of  many  like  them  cannot  be  too  highly  appreciat(Ml. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


5;}:{ 


CHAPTKU   XLI. 
How  T::e  l{EGrLAHs  auk  Tkained. 

KeIU'CKD     KxPKNSKS     on    T'IK     CksSATIoN     <i|.-     TxdIAN    UnS'iri  ITIKS —  Tin:   N'cKiM.KS    DlMTI'RnWCE  — 

Tnnfni,':«    AT    SaX    C'ahi.us    Uksiokv ATin\  —  Tin:    Kmi:i((m:\(ii:s    of    l'iii;si:NT    Mii.i- 

1  AiiV  Si:kvi('I', —  W'liv  Indians  Auk  Krn  ici  i.r  ti>('  M'-niii: —  l''iKi.i)Si:ii\  kk 

AM.  Its  Vai.tk  —  Tm:  Kiki.d  M  ankiviiks  ni-  |ss7  —  ((hihks  init 

TIIK  SaMK  — 'I'llKIH  Si  CCKSS,  \' Al.l   K,   ANI>  |{  KST  l,|s. 

FTEU  the  cessation  of  hostilities  in  1SS().  the  expenses  of  the 
Dey-irtmeiit  of  Arizona  were  rethiced  nt  the  rate  of  over  a 
million  dollars  per  annnni.  'V\u'  ti  tp:  l)eioii«i:in<^  to  the 
|)ei)ai'tnients  of  Texas  and  Calitoiiii.  \\i  i-etiirned  to  their 
i'esi)eetive  stations,  and  ovei'  four  'i  ,  dita  enlisted  sconts 
were  discharged.  In  Deeenihei-.  is,*,,  < '•  .ifurniu,  south  of  the 
thirty-hfth  parallel  was  added  to  t'le  wpartnient  of  Arizona, 
and  the  headquarters  were  tixed  at  ^  -  ".iitj;eles.  California. 
In  March.  1SS7,  a  disturbance  occurred  at  Xogales,  Ai'i/ona  Territory. 
This  town  is  situated  on  the  national  line  between  the  I'nited  States  and 
]\lexico,  and  at  that  time  the  population  was  about  ecpially  divided  between 
Americans  and  Mexicans.  Several  ollicers  belon<^Mii»i' to  the  ^lexican  army 
crossed  over  to  the  American  side  of  tlu*  town,  and  en;^a<j;ed  in  a  shootinu- 
escapade  with  certain 
local  civil  officers. 
Prompt  action  w  a  s 
taken  by  the  Mexican 
authorities,  and  the  of- 
fenders were  speedily 
punished;  but  as  Nog- 
ales  was  an  imiiortant 
place  and  other  difficul- 
ties were  likely  to  occur 
at  any  time,  I  stationed 
a  compaiiy  of  infantry 


rii 


San  Caki.os  Mii.itauy  Cami-. 


in    the     vicinity    of    the    town,     with     the     most     gratifying    results. 
During  this  same    month,   a  young    Indian    named    Nah-diz-az   became 


(II 


i 


1^  ,      ; 

It' 

\ 

i 
i 

I 

) 

i 

it; 

! 

is' 


1 1 . 

1 1 


534 


I'KUSONAI,   I{K(^()r,KKCTI()NS  OF 


dissatifsfied  with  the  division  of  farniiiijjf  hind  made  by  Second  Lieutenant 
Sewai'd  Mott,  Tenth  C"avah*y,  wiio  was  on  duty  at  the  San  Carlos  reserva- 
tion, and  in  char^'e  of  Indian  farniinj^  on  the  upper  (lila  Hiver.  Owin^  to 
this  dissatisfaction  and  the  fact  that  liis  fatiier  iiad  heen  confined  by  Lieu- 
tenant iMott  for  disobedience  of  onU'rs  and  usin^'  tiireatenin^'  hin}j;ua^e,  the 
Indian  shot  this  yonn;^'  officer  on  the  t)th  of  March,  wounding'  him  so 
sev<'rely  as  to  cause  his  (Unitli  tiie  followin«;  day.  and  tiius  one  moi-e  brave 
soldier,  the  victim  t)f  sava^'e  passions,  found  a  last  resting  place 

••  MiMH'iitli  till'  low  ifivi'ii  tent 
WlioHt'  curtain  never  outward  Hwin<fs." 

On  the  San  ( 'arlos  reservation,  in  a  mountainous,  arid  country,  were  more 
than  five  thousand  de^n-aded.  barbarous  Indians  divided  into  various  tril)es. 
chiefly  San  Carlos,  Yunnis.  Mojaves.  I'imas  and  White  Mountain  Indians. 
s,,->st  Cai»tain  Pierce,  who  had  charge  of  the  resei'vation. 

iged  their  aiTairs  well,  and   was  wonderfidly 
•essful  considering  the  circumstances  in  induc- 
them  to   work.     Nevertheless,  for  some  time 
had  l)een  a  menace  to  the  white  settlers  in 
ountry.     Several   disturbances  hiid  occurred, 
there   had   been  a  general  demand   for   their 
al  on  the  part  of  the  principal  white  people 
of  the  teri'itory.      Karly  in  the  summer 
of  1SS7  an  outbreak  took  place  that  threat- 
ened to  l)e  of  the  most  serious  nature. 

It  occurred  in  this  way.  About  six 
months  previous  to  this  time  there  had 
been  a  "  tiswin  dr^nk  "  among  the  In- 
dians at  San  Carlos,  in  which  a  very  pop- 
ular chief.  Toggy-da-shoose.  was  killed. 
The  friends  of  the  victim  in  their  turn 
quickly  and  unhesitatingly  despatched 
the  murderer,  and  in  this  way  a  deadly 
feud  was  created  between  two  bands. 
On  the  evening  of  May  28,  five  enlisted 
Indian  scouts  belonging  to  the  same  band  with  Toffgy-da-shoose,  after 
another  carouse  of  tiswin,  went  without  permission  to  Arivaypa  Caiion. 
and  there  killed  an  Indian  named  Kip,  who,  they  claimed,  had  been  the 
cause  of  the  chief's  death.  In  addition  to  this  they  threatened  the  life  of 
a  young  warrior  named  Kid  who  formed  one  of  the   attacking    party. 


ToNTo  ^V.\l(nI()R. 


CJKNKUAh   NKI.SON    A.   Mll.KS. 


r):i5 


Five   other  Indiau:*  a('i'oii4)anied  the  scouts,  aiul  they  \v(M'e  all   ahspiit 
about  tivo  days. 

On  their  return  they  went  to  the  tent  of  the  chief-of-sronts.  followed  ))y 
some  eight  or  ten  other  Indians,  to  await  the  arrival  of  the  eonnnaiiding 
ollicer.  When  Ca[)tain  i'ierce  appeared  he  oiih-ied  tiieni  to  hiy  (hiwii  their 
arms  and  take  otT  their  {'artrid;-M' helts.  They  iiad  already  complied  with 
this  command  when  some  commotion  arose  and  one  of  the  Indians  in  the 

rear  tired  a  shot.      At  tliis   the   chief-of-sconts - — 

stepped  back  into  his  teiit  and  seized  his  ritle, 
a  general  breakout  occurred,  and  a  fusilade  of 
shots  was  fired.  The  Indians  continued  to  tire 
as  they  ran,  some  scouts  about  the  camp  return- 
ing the  tire.  The  insurgents  then  tied  to  the 
mountains  east  of  the  agency,  where  they  were 
quickly  followed  ))y  a  detachment  of  troops  under 
Lieutenant  Hughes. 

Upon  news  of  the  affair  reaching  head(|uar- 
ters,  troops  from  the  various  posts  were  ordered 
to  occupy  the  country  through  which  it  was 
likely  the  rel)ellious  Indians  would  }»ass.     The»e 


were  at  first  only  ten  men  in  the  i»artv.  two  ')r  "NNv 


;:tl^\ 


three  of   whom  were    on  foot,  but   these  we)>' 
afterward  joined  by  others.     They  were  pursued  ,     ,y 

rapidly  and  incessantly  over  the  most  rugged  and  W'  .^  ^"^^ 

mountainous  region  on  the  continent ;  no  matter  m^'wi  i  Indian  (inn.. 

in  what  direction  they  turned  they  found  that  troops  had  made  the  country 
unifife  for  them,  while  a  pursuing  command  wasalways  close  l)ehind  them. 
In  some  respects  this  raid  varied  gi-eatly  frf)m  all  ]trevious  ones,  as  the 
Indians  stole  but  very  little,  fre(}ueiitly  passing  through  herds  without 
molesting  the  cattle,  and  only  two  white  men  wrre  killed  during  the 
entire  time  they  remained  outside  the  reservation.  On  one  occasion, 
while  camped  on  the  crest  of  the  Kincon  Mountains  at  a  height  of  about 
seven  thousand  feet  above  the  sea  level,  their  camp  was  surprised  by  the 
troops  under  Lieutenant  Carter  P.  Johnson  and  all  their  property,  includ- 
ing their  horses,  was  captured.  But  the  Indians  themselves  escaped  by 
sliding  or  crawling  down  over  ledges  of  rock.  From  this  })oint  they 
traveled  along  the  mountain  ranges  on  foot,  crossing  the  narrow  valleys 
at  night,  and  endeavored  to  take  refuge  in  the  Indian  camps  on  the  reser- 
vation, but  were  trailed  and  hunted  down  by  the  troops  to  their  retreat. 


I' 


i3i 


i 


t 


f 


4 


!   ,1 


i 


I'm 


• 


:>:{(; 


I'KHSONAI.  I{K(^()M.K(TI()NS  OK 


Oil  tlio  l:{tli  of  .Iiiiic  I  h'ft  my  hoadfiiuirtcrs  to  visit  San  (urios.  in 
oi'dor  to  lu'isoiiJilly  iiKiuiie  into  the  circimistaiicrs  attciidiii^'  tlio  distinli- 
u nee,  and  to  direct  the  uiovemonts  of  tlie  pursuing'  forces.  I  found  that 
from  a  thousand  to  twelve  hundred  Indians  had  left  their  camps,  ahaii- 
doned  their  lieids,  and  had  coi);;re<jrated  at  a  |>lace  called  Coyote  Moles, 
where  they  assumed  a  most  threateninj^  attitude.  Mere  they  held  their 
ui^ditly  oi'^des  and  Indian  dances  and  were  haran^MUMJ  l»y  their  medi<'iiie 
men,  whose  inlliieiice  was  decidedly  prejudicial  to  peace,  ihit  no  actual 
oiithreak  occurred,  as  troops  were  stationed  at  i»roper  points  to  check  any 
further  disturbance. 

On  the  l!Sth  of  June  one  of  the  renegades  surrendered.  As  he  had  heeii 
a})sent  nineteen  days,  I  sent  him  to  the  <j^uardhouse  for  the  same  leii^dh  of 
time,  hut  on  the  second  day  following'  he  practically  turned  State's 
evidence  and  {^'ave  information  concerning'  the  movements  of  himself 
and  others,  so  I  rcMuitted  his  s(Mitence.  On  tiie  2'2d  ei^j^ht  others  siir- 
reiidere(l.  followed  hy  Kid  with  seven  comi)anions  on  the  'J.')th.  It  was 
believed  that  a  Vaipii  Indian  iiame(l  Mi<(iiel  was  the  insti^'ator  of  the  whole 
affair.  Accoi(liii<?  to  the  hest  ohtainahle  evidence  lie  had  fired  the  shot 
that  opened  hostilities,  and  with  his  own  hand  had  killed  the  two  men 
who  had  been  murdered.  The  outbreak  was  evidently  nnprenuMlitateil  on 
the  part  of  most  of  the  Indians,  and  this,  added  to  the  fact  that  they  had 
committed  such  a  small  number  of  depredations,  entitled  them  to  some 
coiisideration.  Although  the  scouts  did  not  fully  comprehend  the  respcuisi- 
bility  of  their  oblifjfations  as  enlisted  men,  I  ordered  an  investitjjation  by  a 
^'eneral  court-martial  as  if  they  had  been  white  soldiers.  One  of  the  cul- 
l»rits  was  afterward  condemned  to  suffer  death  but  this  sentence  was 
afterwards  remitted,  and  the  others  were  given  sentences  of  from  two  to 
twenty  years'  imprisonment.  The  disaffected  and  hostile  element  were 
finally  i»(M-suaded  and  forced  to  return  to  their  formei"  camps  without 
serious  hostilities,  and  thus  once  more  it  was  found  better  to  avoid  wai- 
than  to  end  one. 

Two  tribes  on  th(>  San  Carlos  agency,  the  Vunias  and  IMojaves,  had  loi' 
years  been  pleading  to  be  allowed  to  return  to  their  former  homes.  The 
place  where  they  were  located  along  the  (Jila  Kiver  W'as  so  intensely  hot. 
arid,  desolate  and  sickly  that  the  troops  on  duty  there  were  obliged  to  ))e 
changed  every  few  months  in  order  to  preserve  their  health.  The  e.\cit(>- 
nient  of  these  Indians  over  the  general  condition  of  atTairs  was  greatly 
increased  by  the  earthquakes  which  occurred  in  that  vicinity  about  this 
time.    Part  of  these  Indians  were  anxious  to  be  returned  to  the  Colorado 


(iKNKlJAI,  NKI.SON   A.  MII.KS. 


'tWl 


Rivpr  to  join  others  of  tlioir  own  triltes  at  Yimiii  aixl  Mojavo,  wliilr  still 
others  desired  to  go  to  tho  vicinity  of  their  former  lioine  on  the  Kort  \  erde 
reservation. 

The  Wiiite.  Monntaln  Iinlians  who  liad  Immmi  forced  to  ^'o  to  the  (iiia 
\'aiiey  (UM'hired  they  wonhl  ratiier  die  than  livr  tlicic.  They  were  told 
that  they  conid  not  have  rations  if  they  did  not  remain,  and  they  said 
they  wonhl  rather  ^'o  lta<d\  to  their  own  country,  if  they  ha<l  to  starve. 
They  did  ^o  hack,  and  for  years  made  a  most  licroir  striiji^xle  to  live  witli- 
ont  receivin;^'  rations  fnnn  the  {^'overnnicnt.  Tluy  enl  wood  and  hay  for 
Fort  Apache,  and  I  have  si'en  their  women  ^o 
h)n^  distances  and  cnt  ^'I'ass  with  knives  and  pack 
it  on  their  l»a<d\s  to  the  post,  alt Inmoh  the  amount 
of  nnmey  they  received  foi-  their  lahor  was  exeeed- 
inj^dy  snnill. 

The  Navajo  Indians  of  New  Mexico  were  amon},' 
the  lar;.jest  and  most  powerful  <d'  all  the  trihes, 
nnmlierin^  twenty  thousand  sonls,  with  at  least 
four  thousand  men  capal)le  (»f  heai'injj:  ai'ms.  while 
they  were  at  the  same  time  ri(di  enou^di  to  supply 
themselves  with  the  most  improved  rifles,  with  an 
average  of  one  thousand  roini(ls<d"  ammunition  pei" 
man.  This  heinj;  the  case,  even  thou^^h  they  weiv 
pi'actically  at  peace.  I  deenuMl  it  West  to  c(nicenti'ate 
as  nnmy  of  the  cavalry  as  jiossihle  in  that  vicinity. 


Whe 


never    emerirencies 


had 


arisen,  recpunnj 


active  field  service,  it  was  a  common   occurrence 

for  requests  or    repoi'ts  like  the  following   to  he 

received  at  hea(l((uai'ters:  "  |{e((uest  authoi'ity  to  employ  scouts;"  "(Jiiides;" 

''Experienced  trailers;"  '"Men  familiar  with  the  hahits  of  the  Indians  and 

toi)o^i'a[)liy    of   the    c(Minti'y.""  etc. ;    "Ti'ail    scattei'<'d ;"  "Lost    trail    and 


command  retnrned  to  station 


Misled  hv  guides."  etc.     The  condition  of 


atTairs  indicated  by  such  app'icai  ions  and  reports  ou}^ht  not  to  exist.  Troo[»s 
serving  ai=  \'  considerahle  lenjith  (»f  time  in  a  depai'tment  should  them- 
selves excel  in  an  accurate  and  thorouj^h  knowledire  of  the  country  and  in 
skillful  pursn't  of  the  enemy.  While  garrison  duty,  targ(>t  practice,  drills 
and  parades  in  garrison  are  important,  yet  there  is  another  service  of 
vital 
other 


t'tance  the  moment  a  comnnind  takes  the  lield.  and  to  this  all 


mpor 
dutie 
nitirely    effective    I    reciuired   the    troops   to    devoto    s[)ecial    utrention 


are  really   [)reparatory.       In   order  to   render  this  service 


If 


,  ,1 


f. 


i\ 


;■'  ■ 


5;{s 


PERSONAL  HEa)LLB:CTI()XS  OF 


to  field  service  for  a  nnmi)cr  of  years,  and  with  the  most  gratifyin*; 
results. 

The  element  of  stren<;th  that  was  possessed  ))y  the  Indians  against 
which  the  troops  found  it  most  difficult  to  contend,  was  their  skill  in  pass- 
ing rapidly  over  the  country,  noting  every  feature  of  it.  and  ol)serving  the 
movements  and  strengtli  of  tlieir  enemies,  without  aUowing  th(Mnselves 
to  he  discovered.  This  faculty  was  tlu^  natui-al  outgrowth  of  the  fact  that 
generation  after  generation  of  the  Indians  had  followed  the  life  of  the 
hunter  and  warrior.  The  superior  intelligence  of  the  white  num  renders 
him  capahle  of  acquiring  the  same  art  in  an  almost  equal  degree  if  given 
the  opi)ortunity. 

While  the  chief  motive  of  drill  in  this  Held  service  was  to  give  the 
troops  practice  that  would  enable  them  in  times  of  actual  hostility  to 
rendei'  the  country  untenable  for  the  Indians,  yet  it  was  also  a  training  in- 
valuable to  the  officers  in  case  they  should  be  called  upon  for  service  in 
civilized  warfare:  for,  owing  to  the  small  size  of  the  regular  army,  the  same 
offic<'rs  {hat  might  in  this  practice  or  in  actual  Indian  campaigning  be  in 
comnuind  of  a  snuill  detachment  of  trooi)s.  are  liable  at  any  time  to  be 
suddenly  re([uired  to  lead  a  division  or  a  cori)s,  should  the  necessity  sud- 
denly arise  for  greatly  increasing  the  army. 

For  these  reasons  I  determihed  to  give  special  attention  to  Held  nui- 
neuvers,  and,  thereiV)re.  while  in  command  of  the  Department  of  Arizona 
in  1SS7.  I  issued  the  following  orders: 

H|- '.  Dl^l  AKTKilS     DiCI'AKTMENT    (»F    AkIZONA.  ) 

Los  A.N(ii;i.i:s,  Cai,.,  August  20,  1S87.  \ 
(Jenkkai.  Oki)i:i;s  No.  '24: 

L  I  )uriii<,>' tilt'  luontlis  of  S('|iti'iiil)('r  iiiid  ( )ctol)cr  of  this  voar  the  troops  of  this  l)e- 
|)iirtiii('iit  will  he  considered  as  on  licld  dut\-.  and  will  l»i'  iiistructi'd  and  exercised  in  all 
that  pertains  to  the  practical  recpiiremeiits  of  field  servit-e.  During  those  months  all 
other  drills  and  duties  will,  as  far  as  practicable,  hi'  suspench'd,  except  the  target  and  sig- 
nal practice  retjuired  i)V  orders  of  the  War  Department,  which  will  be  regulated  so  as  to 
achnit  of  this  field  service. 

IL  On  September  1st,  ]>ost  commanders  will  occupy  their  districts  of  oI)servation  by 
tiie  location  of  out|)osts,  siynal  and  helioo'rapli  stations,  and  establish  communications  with 
the  nearest  signal  stations  of  the  ad jactMit  posts. 

HI.  During  the  first  fifteen  days  of  that  month  post  connnanders  will,  if  necessary, 
make  themselves  familiar  with  the  topoi,''raj)hii'al  fci'.tures  of  the  district  of  country  within 
their  chariiv,  and  nive  such  instructions  to  the  troops  of  their  commands  regurdiiig  every 
detail  of  field  service  as  wil!  rendcM'  them  most  ellicient  and  afford  them  a  knowledge  of  the 
general  features  of  the  country  in  which  they  are  servino',  and  give  to  them  that  general 
knowledire  of  the  geograpiiy  and  topography  of  the  country  as  will  en'',ble  them  to  p>.ss 
over  it  readily  without  the  aid  of  guides,  com{)ass  or  maps. 


1 1 


GENEl'vAI,  XELSOX   A.  .MILES. 


:]S) 


IV.  Cavalry  troops  will  be  sppiMally  instnu'tt>(l  in  iiicviMiifiits  hv  opon  ordtT  forma- 
tions. To  this  end  care  will  be  taken  to  make  the  trooper  and  his  horse  the  unit  rather 
than  to  adiiere  constantly  to  the  close  formation  of  a  troop,  with  a  view  of  trainiiio'  tiie 
horses  to  act  separately  and  independently  of  the  close  column. 

\'.  After  two  weeks  of  this  kind  of  practice,  the  coinmaiidii):;  ollicer  of  Fori  Iluachuca, 
Arizona,  is  he:eby  directed  to  send  out  a  detachment  of  troops  to  march  from  that  post  to 
Fort  Apache.  Arizomi.  and  return,  via.  the  route  indicateil  in  tiiis  order.  'I'his  raidiiiir 
party  will  consist  of  two  odicers  and  twenty  enlisted  men.  well  mounted  ami  provided 
with  extra  horses,  and  suilicient  pack  animals  to  carry  tlie  necessary  Ijaifi.'-aLfe  and  camp 
e(]uipaire.  Pack  animals  will  not  be  re(|uired  to  carry  more  than  one  hundred  pounds 
per  mule,  all  superfluous  articles  beini^  left  in  the  post,  includini,'  sal)ers.  revolvers,  curb 
bridles,  hobbles,  nose  bai^s.  extra  horse  e(|uipments  and  camp  eipiipan-t'  of  every  kind  that 
can  be  dispensed  with.  The  detachment  will  be  properlv  rationed  and  is  authorized  to 
obtain  necessary  supplies  en  route  in  the  iisual  form  and  to  carrv  fortv  rounds  of  imunu- 
nition  per  man.  witli  the  niH-essary  clotiiino'.  It  will  start  from  l'"ort  Iluachuca  at  noon 
on  September  17th  antl  will  marcii  east  of  Fort  Howie,  west  of  l-'ort  Grant,  touching 
the  limits  of  the  Fort  liOwell  district,  east  of  Fort  Thomas,  west  of  Apaciie  to  a  point 
north  of   that  post,  should  they   reach   that   ](oint  witlmut  btMnLT  cajitiired. 

The  commandinu^  oflicer  will  tlitMi  notify  the  coimiiandini,''  ollicer.  h'ort  Apache,  by 
courier,  of  the  jiresence  of  his  detachment,  He  will  tlien  select  an  aijTeeable  camp  and 
send  to  Fort  Apache  for  su])]ilies.  After  remainino'  there  ten  days  tliev  will  return.  ])ass- 
in<j  east  of  Fort  Apache,  west  of  Fort  Thomas,  east  of  I'^ort  (irant.and  west  of  Fort  IJowie, 
and  east  of  Drairoon  Station,  on  the  Soiitliern  Faciiic  railroad  to  Fort  Iluachuca.  In  startiuir 
from  Fort  Huachuca  they  will  be  allowed  from  12  m,  September  17.  until  (>  a.  m.  the 
day  followinij.  before  beinjif  followe(l  bv  the  troojis  from  Fort  Iluachuca.  After  (')  a.  M. 
Se])tember  1^,  they  will  remain  in  camp  until  \'l  m.  of  that  day.  and  after  that  time  they 
will  be  limited  in  marches  to  the  hours  between  \'.l  m.  and  midiiiifht  of  each  day.  The 
coramandiiiiT  officer  of  the  detachment  will  select  (within  the  above  described  limits)  his 
own  line  of  luarch  and  conceal  his  men  and  i-amps  accordino-  to  his  own  judgment.  Both 
officers  and  men  of  the  detachment  should  fully  umlerstand  the  course  to  be  taken  and 
])laces  of  rendezvoux.  in  order  to  assemble  aifain.  whenever  it  becomes  necessary  to 
separate  because  of  close  pursuit,  or  to  avoid  discovery. 

V'l.  Post  commanders  will  conceal  their  troops  and  establish  lookouts  in  such  way  as 
to  discover,  surprise  and  ca])ture  the  detachment  above  menti(.ned.  if  possible,  and  in  any 
event  they  are  directed  to  have  the  raidiufif  ])arty  ])ursued  until  a  fresh  command  is  on 
the  trail.  Information  concernino'  the  party  to  be  ])ursued  will  be  comnninicatetl  with  the 
least  possible  delay  by  helioo'raph.  teh'ifraph  or  courier  to  the  different  post  conmianders 
and  to  all  troops  placed  to  intercept  them. 

VII.  Reports  will  be  made  by  post  commanders  by  teleoraph  to  these  head(|uartera 
daily,  of  any  observation  of  the  raidiny  ])artv.  t'leir  movements  and  efforts  made  to  capture 
them.  The  party  or  any  ]tortion  of  them  will  be  reirardeil  as  captured  whenever  another 
detachment  or  coiiunand  of  eijual  numbers  crets  within  hailiiii''  distance  or  within  butjle 
sound. 

The  Commandinii"  Officers  at  Forts  Bowie  and  Grant,  will  send  one  officer  or  non- 
commissioned oflicer.  provided  with  two  horses  each,  to  accompany  the  i)artv  and  act  as 
witnesses  in  case  any  ouestion  should  arise  as  to  the  rules  to  be  followed  or  results.    In  case 


!>'        (■ 


T 


I 


'.<) 


B    ! 


^'l 


I 


ifh 


M 


'l''t"f 


,  i*i 


oU) 


I'KI;-0.\.\I.   \il-J  (>l.\.i:<  HON-   Ol- 


"1  > 


of  '■;i[)tiirc  till'  'i»-t;ic|,rn'Tit   will   i(j;ir'li  to  tin-  '.••;ir<-'-t   [I'.-t    jin'l    ;iriofli"r    rji'lin',!-    |.;irtv    will 
\)'-  iniffi<-'ii;itclv   or'|iT<-f|    from    ftn-c    l,.';i'l(jii;trfiT-. 

>ii(iil;ir  riiov  cirn'dt-  will  }„■  iii;i'|f  iii  the  l>istnrf  of  .\'<-'.v  \If<:'-o  fr,  ;i.  '|cf;i'ln;,ci,t  ,,f 
(■',ivii\rv  froffi  I' ort  \\ni<j:i''-.  N.  M..  rriOvin;/  ;iroiiii(|  i'ori  li;iVjr'l  ;iii'i  rcf  iirriiii',''  to  iIh 
^t;ltlofl:  (il^oorii-  frotn  t' ort  .""fiinton  iiroiui'i  I' ort  |',;iviir'i  ;iri')  ri'liirrj  ti>  it"  st,;itiori.  <';icli 
ij()iii<j  sit.  ^offic  t)rn>-  V,  itliiii  t<Ti  rnilfM  of  tlijit  oo^t  Jin'l  oi'li^r-  for  riiji  .■'■liini/  ;iri'l  'ori'''-;!  Iriii-nt 
of  '■;ic\\  will   !)<•  t.li<-  -iifii'-  Ji-  tlifj^i-  rlirc'tc'l   for  I'ort   I  InhcIiU' ;i. 

f';i,rc  v<.ill  f<i-  tiiki'M  to  iiwii'l  lir'sikini/  flo'.'.ri  <'itl,i-r  thi-  trooj.  hor-<'^:  or  p;ifk  ;uiirriii!^.  or 
".tiirnp'-'lint/  or  irijurijio'  Jiuv   ^tock   ',r   propiTlv   of  r.ii/i-riH. 

At  tlic  rlo-yi'  of  till-  pcriofi  for  fi<-M  pr;i''t  i'->'.  riO"!  cotriin;!  n'li-r-,  will  ''sill  for -ii'_''L""-'ioriH 
froKi  ofJiccr'H  ;iii'l  rri'-n  of  tij.'ir  '■ouiuiiui'l-.  ;ui'l  rri;ik<-  oni'f  r<-[iort-  of  ri--iilt-'  ;jn'l  iii<-(it^of, 
;inv  '|ffc'-t-  in  t.hi'  c'l  uir,irifiit  of  t|j<-;r  ''Ofririi;!  n'l  or  ;ni  v  tl,, /](_■•  tli.it  v.oiiM  t«'n'l  to  [.ron^i.tc 
t(i<-ir  '•fficKTK- V. 

I'o'-t  ( ,'onini!iri'|i-r",  will  r<-t;iin  (■o(riiriiini'';it  ion  w.tli  t  ki'i  r  'l<-t;if|i(fi<Tit-<  -iif[i';iTit  to 'Ti;!  Ii|c 
thi'iri  to    r<-'';i.il   thfin  to  t|i>-ir  -tjition-'   witliout  'Idnv  in  '•;!-••  of  n'^c-vHit  v. 

I5v  '■orfiiriJiri'l   of   liri  ^.^^I'l  :'-r  (^  »<-ii''r;i  I   Mii.c,-: 

.1,   A     l>Ai'if\v.  .^<-'on'l    /  ,:crjt>-ri,i  tit   TwTitv    tliir'l    I  f]f;iritr', .   A     \).  ('.. 

A,   A.   A.  f,.n-,';.l. 


■  '?      » 


It    '!! 


.\)i  oflir(T  in  f'ltiilji.i  ;:'i  'if  ,i  i;)\(\]i\'j  Uiici-  u  ;i  (■ii-<\i\>-i\  uitli  tdr-  f,i  pt  ij  ir- 
of  ;i  itiilifrii-v  po-f  if  \\(-  -\,<-cft-<\i-(\  ill  '^'ci  t  iii^'  hi  coMiKiii  ii'l  'luting/ 'iiivlij/lit 
uitliiii  fiiif-  t  lioii-ntjfj  '.iu'l-  of  ft)'-  fl.)!/  tiift  of  tJKit   |.f)-t. 

Tfio  rnov'in^tit  ~  (\\ii-c\(<\  'liifiiiu'  f  li'"  rtioiit  li  •  of  >it-\iU-tii\ti-f  iwl  ( )cU,\  t-i 
\\<'tc  '-otit  itiii('r|  fjuriiii/  putt,-  of  Or'toti'T  ;i  n'l  \<i\>-ii\\ii-v.  nii'l  (■iii\,r,i<-ii\  flio 
coiititry  \)(:\.\\(-(-t\  [ort  l(  ii;ir}iiic;i.  A  ii/on;i.  ;i  ii'l  I' oif  ."^tiiiitoti.  Si-\\  Mr^xicf,. 
ji.tifl  \>(-\  v:f-<-i\  I'ort  V\'i  ti<.';it/'.  \f-w  Mr-xirri.  ;;n'l  I'ort  .\p;i<'))o.  An/onn.n. 
moiintjiinr,!).-  r<-:.'ioii  Uiri-t-  Initi'lr^-'l  rriilc-  in  '•xt(-iif  on-f  ;in'l  u.r'-t.  ;in'l 
rifrarly  Uu-  -iinif-  fli-t;i ncf  nortfi  ;iii'l  -onfli. 

'f'lii-  '.('.n(-.  <>l'  [ifiir-f  icfil  riiji M*-iKf-r-.  rfin- .•(if-citio-  t lif'ir  iiiif  uitory  or f-x[)f-ti- 
rnf-ntjil  rKifurf;  vvf-r'-  in  tin-  rniiiti  v^fv  ,it  i.--fiiffr,cy.  ;iiir|  th^-  r-xp('n*-M<''- 
(.'iiirif''!  liy  offirr-f-  ;i  ri'l  t  roofi-  (-tij.';!;.'''')  in  tliMii  u.r-r<-  of  iiir;i|r'ii|;i.li|(-  wiln*'. 
Thf  rf-ult'  fjf  ten  (Ji-f  inff  \\i-\i\  iu;i\\(-\i.  vc-  cowiiri!.'  n,n  Jirf-;i  of  liniifjrf-f]- 
rif  niiUv-  in  ^'Xtont.  rrifiv  li<'  -tiit'-'l  in  liiiof  ;i  frillou-:  On  liw  'lifTofonf 
orra.-ions  ttio  r;ti'Jinf/  [(iirfi*--  \\(t<-  o',f'it,i.k(-n  nn'l  r.ipf  nr'O'l  l»y  tin-  troop-  in 
[iiir-nit.  cfimninn'lc'i  r'-- pf't  i  .  ^l  v  dy  r'nptii  in- MnifT''*-.  Woo'IiiihI  .Mjinfon. 
nn'l  Licnt^niiiit  -  Sr-ott  jiti'l  !''•(- hint/.  n'>t  vv  1 1  fi-f  ;i  ri'ii  n;.'  that  f  v<;ry  (\f\  icc  \khh 
U(\()\>\>-i\  to  finn'iv  ;in'l  'Iccf-iw-  t||o  pur  iim-  \)V  'li-|»fr'-inu'.  'l<;-t  fiv  in;.'  trjul- 
Itv  hiiAin;/  lifr'l-  of  ciittlc  <|iivfn  'ivor  tlipui.  \,v  \'n\-t-  ni;i iimi vf-r-.  ftr. 

On  r,v'-  'irf;i.-if,ii-  flifTfH'nt  ilct;iclinifnt  -  ronirnJiri'lo'l  !>>  Ouptiiin-  Wint. 
VV'jiil;i.r-f- ;in'l  KfuduW.  iiti<\  I-ir-ntfinint-  Ifirlun'l-  iiii'l  M'-Or;it }i.  iiii-l':'l  iin'l 
f-lijfjffj  t  hf'ir  pni-  iif  / -.  lint  \\ct«-  'li -rov  r-ro'l  ii  ii'l  intf'rccjito'i  bytjif:  \i()()\i-. 
in  w.'lvjirirf  \\\\()  KM-tf-  I- in''  in  vvjiit  f(»r  t(if-tn. 


f,K.\Kl:,M,   .\hI..-0.\    A.    \III.K.-. 


.',41 


v.;l| 


Capfjiin  V\  ;ill;ir-f;  -tjirtr-'l  frorti  l''or-t  I';i',;)r'l  N'-w  Mfxifo.  cufjt  iifofl  thf 
c.ornrnii.rifl  -f-rit  in  |)iir-iiif  of  liini.  iui'l  ■,i\<i\i\\\ii'  the  tff)()|)-  in  ;i<\\;i\ici-  -iic- 
(tf-r-flffl  in  rf'Jif'hin;.'  I'ort.  Stjiriton,  NCa  Mr-xico.  Init  iaji-  cji  pt  ur(-(|  dy  Ijmi- 
tftruuit  iV-r-liint'  i'l  fH'I'-Jivorin;.'  to  tftniti. 

C;),f)t;iin  W  int  -t,irt^-fj  fi'om  lor*  \.<i\\c\\.  Ati/on.i  T'-ititoi'. .  ii  n'l  c-'Mpin;.' 
ffoni  111-  |»ur-nf'r-  ;i.n'l  f-|ii'linu'  Hic  t  (•(,(())  <-nt  to  nitf-iccpt  him.  rfin;i.in'''j 
H(;v(:y:i\  'liiv-  in  t  [i^m  r ',  icinit ;,  in  t||(-  'iciili.ini  .\I()iint,i  in  .  .1  n'l  tin.ilU  -^iir- 
(',t-i'(\i-(\  in  r'''.i''lii  n'_'  I' orf  A  (kk'Im-.  v.\^\\  ttic  jf)  rd  hut  tone  ni'-n.  f,i|»t  uc'-'l. 
I'<'t  M  nil  nt.'.  h''  k  i  1 1  Fill  I',  nii  l'il  .iti'l  -I'H'h'l  "h''  com  ni.i  ii'l  in  |»iic-uit. 
f;i  [it  lui  n>/  ;i  ■*•'•(, nrl  crjmmiin'l  f-n'li-,!  .  01  in'/  to  intcri'Cjjt  him.  hut  ',',;i  hn;i.lly 
c;iptiit<"'l  hv  ;i.  t  hit'l  corniiiri  n'l  to  /.hirh  oii(-  <,t'  In-  r.ipti'.r-  h.i'l  i\i--i-rU-(\ 
firi'l  f/iv''ii  inforrn.it  i'lii  ot  hi  pr''-'-nf(-.  'I  hi  ■.',,!.,  ono  ol  th<-  lon;.'('f  ;i.n'i 
H)f)f   -iircc-- fill  <;,\()(-'lit  ifiii  ■  of   the    '-rM-  . 

Limitf-na  nt.  *  .  I',  -lohn  on  in.i'h  on''  '>!  th'-  mo  t  iicc'  iul  ,iii(|  r'-m.irk- 
;ih!''  r'Ji.i'l-,  f-xhilti' inu'    mu'-h  'Jiiuonri  I  it ;,   in   phuinin/  'Hi'l     kill  in  '•x'''-:it  in;/. 

We.  .-t.irt'-'l  fi'iin  I' 01 1  'irjii'  t '<  '-ii'']''  or  ci  p' u  f-  I  oi't  l,()','.c||  ('li  ■  t,i  n'''- 
;i|)[)r'»xini;it<'l y  'hi'-  hnii'lr'-'l  mil'--  tf,  the  'Hith  of  u'-t);  l<,  ;ic''()mpli  h 
thi-  -.ini<'  v^ith  l'')rt  1 1  iKichnfn  oil  tan'''-  ;i  ppr')X  i  nifitfly  '(iic  hiiii'lr'-''! 
Mti'l  tvv'-ntv  mil'-  I.  uti'l  ill-')  l')rt  li'ivi*-.  fort  , -t 'vvo  mil'-  -'>iith  'if  l'''>rt, 
(irrint . 

St;irtiiiU"  ft'om  l'»rf  '^ifiint  Ik-  ''.iM'-r'-'l  In  '''immiin'l.  p.i  rf  iii  II  v  '>hlit«-i'- 
iifiti'/  hi-,  tr'n.il  \>y  '/(■l\\ii<j   f'i-  '•'iinniiiii'l  np'di  ,1  h'-.i  ,iii'l  ,   r'),i'l   thii.t   r;in 

n'jfth  Jiri'l  -'(iitli  [jilt  n  f('U  mil'--  \ki--\  <i\  th'-  f'wt  ;  iiu'lcr  '''('.''r'  'if  ni^rht  li'- 
iu<)\(-<l  ti'irtli  iri-tf'Si,')  of  ~'iiit  h  w<v-t.  (i-  \\f-  vvn-  r-x  p'-'-t'-fj  u,  ({(,.  'I  [li^  .-.ji.ri'iy 
roii'l  w;i-  ij.-ffi  liy  h'-;iAy  tf-ii.ni.-  hmilin^'  'opp'-r 'it*'  ft'im  <»l')h''  t'l  \V'iI'''ix 
'III  thf  S'lijt  h^-rri  I'ji.cifi'-  r'lsi'h 

Tfi''  tr'i'ip-  t1i;it  \\f-n-  put  in  [iiirnit  ft'im  '.-r';int  tn'rvf-'l  \\<-~l  ,it\<\.  -'  nMi- 
vvf-t.  lo-t  \\\('.  -fiitt^rf''!  tr;iil  iiti'l  -pent  *'V'i  'Acr-k-  in  '•n'l'';i,' 'irinj/  t'>  litul 
.sorrU'  triM'''  '>f  thi-  I'l-t  c'lnminti'l. 

Th'-  -'•'imm.in'lin;.'  'iflic-r  v^^nt  to  [ur^  LtacI!  for  -iippli'-  iiri'l  linn.ll', 
;.';i.v  '•  lip  t  h'-  pur-  mi  t   in  'I''   p;i  i  r. 

.\''it  wit  h-t;in'lin^'  tt'i'ip-  '.\i-ii-  'm  th'-  hi'ik'iiit  f'lr  Li'-iitcnn  nt  .I'lhn-'in 
fr'iin  ^»r;int.  I/i-a'-II.  1 1 'inchn'-n.  ;i  n'l  I'.'i.'.i*'.  Ii<-  u;i..-.  f'lr  the''  wc-k-  a-  cuit- 
pl'-t'-jy  lo-t  ;\~  if  fi'-  h.i'l  'li-;jfi(ifMt''''  in  u  (•.r.''rn  in  t  he  ciirt  h. 'ir  in  rni'l-iur. 
lii.-.t.f'ii.fJ  of  f.'oiri^'  in  th'-  'lir'(-''ti'in  (>\'  !■  ort  I-'i'A'II.  .1  h'-  pr'tcn'l'-'l  t'l  'hi,  h'- 
fcvfr^f-fj  hi-  foiir-f'. -t  ruck  t  Ik- 'li'ih'- ;in'i  \Vilc')\  ro.i'l.  m'l.'-'l  p;i-t  hi-'i'Ati 
station  (finuit).  n.n'l  witfiin  ;i.  f'-w  mil''-,  'if  if.  i/'ioi;.'  north  .ili'nit  1  hirt  ■.  livf 
mih'J  to  tfie  f;ro.--iri;/  of  th'-  ^iihi  ifiv-r.  th'ii  m'/'.'"l  'I'iad  th''  rr.'-r  f'lr 
;tl)'ii;t.   tvvf;ritA    riiiU--.  Icn.'vin;.'   n'l  mot''  fr.iii    h'-hin'l    him   th;iri  ;i  liir'i  in  thf 


n     ; 


'     t 


'  I 


:i 


r>42 


I'KlfSONAI,   I^KCOLI-KCriON.o  OK 


m 


jiir.  This  skillful  iiiovfiiH'iit  lir(»iif/|it  his  (•oiiiiriMiKJ  ji  Ion;.'  djstjmcc  to  the 
iiocthvvrsf  }i(mI  in  ii  Im'oI<«'Ii,  nioiiiitirnioiis  comihy. 

Ill  t  his  s«'('li()ii  JM' ('((iicr'iih'd  his  coniiiiiiiMl.  iiioviii;^' si  ill  I'liit  her  to  t  he 
vv«'st  iiii(l«'r  cover  «»l'  fix-  S;iiitji,  (';iIjicmi;i  Mouiitjiiiis  ;iii'|  tiiiil»«-r  iind  the 
(liirKiM'ss  of  tlir'  tii^'ht  with  ii.s  much  celerity  ;iiiil  secrec;  ;i.^  jin  iiidiiin  (,(•;, 
|t;iiillier.  (irjMJiKilly  hejiriii^'  south,  in  tlie^Miiy  of  the  nM»rniii;_'  he  jui-.-ed 
t(»  the  west  ;iii(|  south  of  I'orl  Lovvell,  thus  encircling/  tliiit  inilil;iry  |»o>t  ;i,~ 
he  rode  r;i|iidly  throii^di  the  town  of  Tucson,  ;il»oiit  ei;_dit  miles  from  l''(»rt 
liOvv(dl.  while  t  he  occiipjiiits  of  I  lint  tou  n  were  wiii|»|»ed  in  hiissfiil  sliimhei'. 

Knowinj^'  he  would  l»e  |Hirsued  hy  troops  from  liowe'j  he  imide  rii|»idl\ 
to  the  southwest  for  t  weirty-live  miles  to  the  S;uit,;i,  l'it;i  Moiintiiiiis,  where 
he  ;i|:jiiii  sc;i.ttere<l  his  c«)niin;iiid  Jiiid  !>y  ;i  series  of  fjilse  movr-nients,  der-ov  -^ 
;i,nd  skillful  iiiiiiieii\ers,  threw  his  |)ursiiei's  olT  his  tr;iil  ;ind  Ihreiitened 
l'"ort  1 1  iiiichiicii,  and  while  |treteiidin^f  to  circle  Ihnt  post  to  the  .-oiilh  he 
suddenly  disii|>|»eiire(|  and,  nio\in;i  \\e>t  a  j/ood  di-tjiiice,  made  a  forced 
inaifdi  a,ci"oss  c(»uiitry  and  -urprised  I'ort   Howie. 

linN'r  the  rule  he  was  allowed  to  remain  ten  days  for  re^t.  The 
colonel  coiiiiiiandin;_'  I'ort  lliiachuca  rr-porlr-d  t his  youn^' ollicer  a-  lia\iii;.' 
disre{^'arde<l  his  orders  and  thai  he  had  not  circled  that  post,  little  Ihinkin;.' 
that  the  maiieii\-ers  were  intended  as  a.  hiiiid. 

Aflei-  (piietly  reslm;.'  ten  days  Jiientenant  .l(»liii,-^oii  apparently  made  all 
preparations  to  move  north  from  IJowie  t(»  (irant.  After  leaving/  the 
former  p(»st  he  suddenly  reversed  his  course  and  moving'-  rapi<lly  aixl 
secretly  a<'ross  the  country,  siicceedin;^'  in  ^ettin;^  his  command  within  a 
thousand  yards  of  IhejJa^'stalT  of  l''orf  I  liia(diuca.  siirjuised  and  capt  iired 
the  post  and  ;_'a.rrison  of  six  t  roops  of  ca.valry. 

II  is  needless  to  say  that  the  chai^riii  and  fiivy  lelt  hy  theollicersof  the 
;_'airisoii  was  \ery  ;/reat.  for  they  were  a  proinl,  spirited  and  enterpri.^in;.' 
(dass  of  men.  In  fa<'l.  t  he  fe(diii^' anioiiiiled  almost  to  lif)st  ility  a|.'aiiisl  llii> 
ollicer,  tliou;i-|i  they  vver<'  very  i^'racioiis  to  him  and  extended  t<»  him  every 
<'ivility  and  hosjiitality  during'  his  stay  of  ten  days  for  rest  and  reciiperat  ion. 

lie  had  still  a  most  dillicult  prohlem  to  solve,  lie  was  more  than  (»iie 
liuii(lre<|  miles  frcmi  his  own  station,  and  when  once  he  starled  from 
lliia(diiica.  he  was  sure  to  he  pursued  hy  the  pi(d\ed  trvKtpers  from  that 
garrison,  and  in  addition  to  this  he  must  contenrj  a;^aiii>t  the  vi^/ilance  of 
those  Oil  the  ^'.,  Uout,  from  Uovvie  and  (ir-aiit,  for  he  must  return  to  his  own 
post,  citlKsr  as  vnior  o"  caol  ive. 

After'  a,  ^nxxl  r"csi,  And  aiiiph^  time  to  .-^tiidy  the  maps  and  topo;.Mapliv  ot 
iliecoiintr-y   '-e!  .vecii    ih.iielMca  and   (iiuil.,  liifuit(Mia,nf  .lohiison    iiiar<'lied 


rJKNKIfAl,   NKI,snN   A,   MII.KS, 


i:{ 


out  lit,  Ivvfilv*'  o'clock,  noon,  lor'  lii.-.  niovcnicnt  ;i;_Minst  l-'oif  (ir.\\)\.  Iiidcc 
t|i('?'iilc  lie  wjis  ill  lowed  ei;^'lit,(!<!n  hours  hcforc  lie  could  lie  imfsiicd  six 
hours  of  diiy  ;iiid  twelve  hours  of  ni;/lit. 

Sleuth  hounds  nevf-r  1  uj/i^'cfl  Ii;irder;it  the  leii>li,  t h(»rou^'liltred  riicers 
never-  chiini|ied  the  hit  with  more  inipiit  ieuce  thiin  did  tli(»>e  rourtli 
('}iviilry  troopers  to  Ik^  set  lo<»se  on  the  triiil  or-  in  ni:i,Miil  '>f  the  >ucc»v^.->ful 
riiiders,  while  tiMir'e  w;is  the  wildest  excitctneiit  concerninji  its  succe^-^  on 
the  |»;irt  of  the  pur'.^ued  |»iirty.  jind  the  nlo^t  intense  ent hu.-.iiism  on  the 
pint  of  the  pursuer's.  l''ort  un;it'  iy  the  c()nini;ind  wiis  entru.^ted  t.o  iin  ;tlil(! 
,ind  experien<-ed  cjiviilry  oliicer.  Ciiptjiin  A.  Wood,  who  denionst »';ited  hi- 
slvill  ;ind  ;.'ood  jud^'inent.  who  iii,~te;i(|  of  followin;.'  the  circuitous  triiil  iind 
fiil.-e  ni;i  iieus  er'>,  vvitli  the  disjidv  a  nt;i<.'e  of  ;i  -tern  cli;i.-e,  nioxerj  ijirecliy 
jicross  ('((untr'V  hy  ii.  forc<'d  rriiir'ch  of  ,^e\cnty  niije^  to  ii  pii.^s  in  ;i  r;in;.'e  of 
niountiiins  thiit  he  helieved  IJeuteniint  .John-on  would  p;i--  t  lirou;/li  hut 
not  where  ;iny  of  histi'iiils  would  indicnle  he  wiis  ^'oin^'.  Town  rd,-^  t  his 
j/;tp  ( ';i  ptiiin  \\  Ood's  t  roop  nuirched  iit  u  riipid  pm-e  ;ind  rciu'lied  it  ;is  the 
sun  w;is  low  in  the  iifternoon.  Now  the  thin;/  to  he  iiccouiplished  w;i-  to 
li:.d  if  liieutetuint  .lohnson's  coninui nd  w;i,-  c(Mice;i|ed  in  the  vicinity. 

In  these  maneuvers  it  was  not  uncommon  for  the  couimandin;.' olliccr 
to  hrihe  the  citi/.ens  to  make  fal.-e  report,-,  or'  to  iswc  tliern  erifuicous 
infor'ination  in  order'  that  they  mij_'lit  convey  the  .^auie  nii.^leadin;/  intcjji- 
^'euce  to  t  heir  pur'suer's. 

I;ieutenaiit  .lohn.-on  had  evidently  mi.-sed  one  civilian  for-,  as  (';r  ()t  ain 
Wood  wa-.  lookin;/  for- .-j;^ni-i  of  the  |iur^ued  parlv  or  for- -ome  tr-ace  ot  I  he 
»-aider-.-,  he  (|i.-cov  er-e(|  a.  lone  nii.^,~ioiiar->  t  r-a\elirij_'  throuij-li  that  (-ountry 
who,  on  heiiifj-  (pie.-tioried  whether-  he  had  -ecu  aiivtl-in;/  of  a  coiii'im,]'!  o! 
soldier-s,  sta.ted  that  he  had  pa-.-etl  a  .-mall  companv  pi  t  !..<-(»iii;.f  iMt(>eai'ip 
in  a  little  pocket  of  the  mountains  aixmt  live  irrilesaway.  Thi-  "v;is 
a  i-e\r'|ation  and  .1  hoon  for  tin-  ac(-om  pli -hcd  ca  r-y  le;,'ler- a  M<i  wi'l.in 
a  \ei'\  -hor-t  time  his  huj/h'S  soundeil  the  ctiuim.:  lor-  Lu''  [ena nt  .IoImi 
sf)n'-  sur-r-eirder- after-  hi-  vcr-y  Ion;.'-  and  very  -ucci         il  raid. 

Thus,  ( 'a  pta  in  \\  ood"-  i.'ood  jiid^j-itient ,  riiter-pr-i.-'  nd  ha  id  riderif  ev  cnly- 
live  mile-  was  revvarderl  with  mo-t   <.oat  i  fy  iiil'"  a  n-      -lO-t    cr-er|it  a  hjc  -ucc(.,. 

Thi-  eiidefl  one   of   the    mo  1    -killful    of    t|ii  c|-e-tiii;_'   practicil    IJcM 

maneuver--.      I,ieuteii,i  iit     .loliii  on    i-,   a    fair    re  f<-  cutat  i  v  e   of    fho-c    \ir 
'jinian-    like    Stuart.    ,\    lihv    and    other    hrillaiit    '.ivalrv    leader-,      lie    in 
formed  ni((    that   while   a    |),iil    of   hi      pi. in  wa-    t'     c;i  pt  ur*;  t  he  i|cp,i  it  nu'iit 
c(uiiiiiaiider.  in    which    he    wa-,  however,  not    ,-iic<  ''--ful,    he    heli"Vi'(|    if   he 
coiihl   de.-,tr-oy  the    te|e;_M-a  ph    line-    he   could    make   ;i    .-ucce--fii|    r-aid    from 


' 

I 

<    i 

i 

f!   ? 


;l 


II         : 


«t 


■a   i 


I* 


b' 


'1 


i  , 


544 


I'KliSONAL   KK("()LLKL"I'I()\S  OK 


I 


Arizona  to  the  Atlantic  seahoartl  and  avoid  the  troops  in  the  intermediate 
districts  of  the  country. 

It  is  to  be  re^'retted  that  the  untimely  death  hy  a  cruel  and  painful 
disease  has  deprived  the  service  of  so  accomplished  an  oHicer  as  Cai)taiii 
Wood,  whose  record,  dui-inj^  the  great  war.  on  the  Western  frontier  and  in 
the  field  of  military  literature  was  raost  creditable  and  valuable. 

The  results  attained  in  this  Held  manouvering  were  most  ithsisinu 
The  excellent  judgment  and  intelligence  displayed  by  the  commanding 
officers  of  the  districts  of  observation  in  the  disposition  of  their  troop-, 
the  use  made  of  the  means  of  observation  and  communication,  the  /ciil 
and  skill  exhibited  by  ollicers  in  the  field,  and  the  very  great  interest 
taken  in  these  operations  by  the  troops,  were  all  most  gratifying. 


It 


li.  I 


Llilltc 


GENERAL  NELSON  A,  MIEES. 


^45 


1     ' 


nihil 

[•tiiiii 

lid  ill 

isiiiu-. 

idiii^' 

oops. 

/('ill 

rrcst 

CHAPTER  XIJT. 

The  Arid  Kegion  and  Ikhioation. 


The   CiiVD.'i'ioNs  ok   tiik  Akid    I{i:(iin\  —  A    liicii  Son.,   Hit   a  I.mk  of   Kaimm.i. —  W'iim'  tiik 
Arid  liiM.T  Isci.idks  —  Akka  and  I'koi'oktion   Ihkk;  a  tkd — Tin:  Si  ii-II  imid  1>i:(;io\ — 'Yue 

Sta.VDVKI)     of     IIi.MIDITY  —  SCIKNCK     AND     I 'kKSoN  A  I.     K\  I'Klil  KNCK —  l|i|:\    OF    KaKMINII 
liY     luHlliATIoN    Ni:\V     TO    TIIK     SWoN  —  TllK    InsTVNCF    of    C  \  I.I  FoI{N  I  \  —  FuilKiX- 

I'loN      IN      Ili.sToHV  —  I'nivi'.ks.m.     IOffii'I  kncv     of      i'im:      Svsri;M  —  'I'iif 
Mi;.\siKKs  Takfn    iiy   thk   (iovkun.mfnt  —  Tin;  .\ciion   of   Spai'fs 

—  (JoST —  RkASONS       F0|{       KlK'I'IIIOR        (joV  FI'N.M  i:ni'       Aci'loX. 

AVIN(J  crossed  the  inia^'iiiaTy  line  which  dividi^s  the  old  {iiid  well- 
known  farming  rej^ion.  to  which  we  are  all  accnstonicd.  IVoni 
the  newer  West,  we  instantly  encounter   new  conditions,  re- 
quiring a  system  of  farminj^^  new  to  the  ideas  of  the  Saxon. 
^,-  There  is  a  vast  tract  there  where  the  rainfall  is  so  small 

^^  -J  ^-  I  that  it  imposes  new  conditions.  tl!'.;!,-di  the  soil  is  licli  and  the 
^^^^-"^i'^!"  clinuite  much  more  favorable  to  yi  csiliure  than  that  of  New 
Kngland.  or  even  that  of  the  Middle  States.  This  rej^'ioii  is  now 
known  as  the  "arid  belt."  and  its  boundaries  are  well  defined.  Its  extent 
is  enormous.  It  includes  Montana.  Wyoming.  Coloiado,  I  tali.  Idaho. 
Nevada,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico,  with  those  jiortions  of  Noi'th  and  Scuitli 
Dakota,  Kansas,  and  Nebraska  which  lie  west  of  the  one  hundredth 
meridian,  with  large  [)ortions  of  southern  and  western  T(»xas.  and  all  of 
California  south  of  the  thirty-ninth  parallel.  The  east<>rn  two-thirds  of 
Oregon  are  also  included,  with  one-third  of  Washington. 

The  area  of  this  vast  territory  iiicliidrs  l.^UO.OdO  s(|uare  miles.  In  IS'.M) 
the  irrigated  portion  of  it  was  about  onr-hal'  of  oik-  \)vr  <'(Mit  of  tlio  whole. 
Associated  with  tiie  lack  of  raiiifjill  is  a  <lryiu'ss  of  the  air  which  desic- 
cates the  folia;^e  '>ii'  \egetHi  non.  and  in  niiich  of  this  I'egion  a  scanty  gi'owth. 
accustomed  to  tiK  \i(#-i->-ii tuples  of  tln^  climale.  alone  sur\  ives.  The  clouds 
evaporated  from  tin*-  Pacir.^-  are  |)reci[)itated  on  the  western  coast.  Those 
of  the  Atlantic  I'ain  tli^-m-'lves  out  on  the  e.-i'^teni.  Those  i'oriiHMi  by  the 
Creat  Lakes  and  the  (iiilf  sehhMii  jiass  beyond  on(>  IuiikIkmI  miles  west- 
ward of  the  west  line  of  .Mi»oiiri. 

There  is  a  sub-humid    region    lying  on   the   borders  of  the  area  given. 
The  standard    of  liuiuidit\  which    lia.>   been    \\\i'i\    for   ;iridness  is  twenty 


'     %■ 


I 

i 


■'    'If  J- 


»■  r 


ii 


jUt 


546 


I'KiJSONAI,   KKCOIJ^KI'TIONS  OK 


m 


inches  of  rainfall,  or  less,  annual  avera^'e  for  a  i)eriod  of  years.  Tliere  is  no 
re^'ion  within  the  boundaries  of  the  I'nited  States  where  it  may  be  said  never 
to  rain  at  all.  Sometimes,  at  irre^nilar  intervals,  on  the  hi^h  plains  of  tiie 
west  the  rainfall  within  a  few  hours  is  of  immense  volume.  There  is  a 
want  of  seasonableness  and  re^nilarity.  and  nniny  months,  (jr  even  some- 
times an  entire  year,  may  pass  without  a  eoi)ious  rain.  There  are,  there- 
fore, in  the  sub-arid  area  Hue  crop-years  occasionally.  These  fruitful  years 
come  still  more  fretjuently  in  the  eastern  [tortions  of  the  belts.  An  entire 
failure  of  all  crops  does  not  often  occur  in  the  latter  region,  and  a  full 
crop  may  at  lon^  intervals  be  made  in  all  e.xcept  the  dryest  areas  of  the 
vast  territory  named. 

Durinj^  the  past  thirty  years  most  of  the  facts  stated  have  been  learned 
exi)erimentally  by  actual  settlers.  The  universal  American  enterpi-ise  cai- 
I'ied  thousaiuls  of  families  at  leaht  to  the  ed^^^e  of  the  arid  re^non.  and 
many  hundreds  of  them  into  its  very  heart,  'i'here  is  an  unwritten  history 
of  these  entei'prises.  Meantime  science  has  not  been  idle,  and  the 
labors  of  practical  nietecu'cdofijists  havedehned  and  mapped  the  boundaries 
of  .'i'tuess,  and  have  discovered  its  causes.  There  is  but  one  remedy 
—  iiTi^ation. 

As  state(i,  Mie  idea  of  farmin*;  by  irri<2:ation  is  new  to  the  Saxon  mind. 

though  it  is  one  of  the  oldest  arts 
of  civilization.  With  this  man.  to 
whom  it  is  new,  it  is  more  success- 
ful when  once  he  has  adojited  it 
than  it  is  in  any  other  hands. 
Southern  California,  a  new  land  to 
Americans  from  the  east,  is  an  ex- 
ami)le.  Within  the  memory  of 
most  readers  it  was  a,  hopeless  des- 
ert, with  an  oasis  here  and  there 
around  which  all  there  was  of  the 
Spardsh  civilization  had  clustered 
American  ingenuity,  tempted  by  a 
climate  which  has,  perhaps,  no  ])arallel  in  ihe  world,  found  new  sources  of 
water.  Tlu^  highest  resources  of  modern  engineering  science  were  aii|)lied. 
and  n'echanical  skill  of  the  first  order  was  bnmght  to  bear.  Artesian  wells 
w  er(^  sunk  where  the  existence  of  water  Iteneath  the  surface  had  never  before 
been  suspected,  and  flowing  wells,  which  surpi'isethe  (\ve  and  seem  miracu- 
lous, water  hundreds   of  the  richest  acres   of  the   world.      Tunnels  have 


Artksian   \Vi;i.t,s, 


1L 


(JKNKKAI,  NKLSON  A.  .MII<KS. 


r)4" 


been  bored  into  tbe  luountiiins.  Ditcbes  wcic  lined  witb  cenient  to  pre- 
vont  tlie  secpaj^c  wiiicb  Inid  wasted  bait"  tiic  water  in  all  old  systems.  Miles 
of  [tii)in;^'  bave  been  laid.  Monntain  spring's  bave  been  found  and  t  beir  waters 
carried  b»n^'  distance's  at  vast  expense.  Tlie  results  ai'e  now  known  to  all 
tbe  world  as  sometbin^'  marvelous  in  an  a^e  of  niaivcls.  Tlie  woi'k  lias 
not  yet  come  to  an  end.  and  tlu'  time  may  come  wlien  bardly  an  arable 
acre  in  all  tbat  wonderful  rej^ion  will  be  iinwatered  and  idle. 

This  is  but  an  instance,  tbou^'h  pei'baps  tb.'  biremost  oiu\  of  tbe 
|)ractical  results  of  nnnlern  irri^'ation.  Vet  systems  even  still  inor<' 
colossal  bave  been  made.  used,  and  bave  passed  away,  upon  American  soil. 
Tbe  most  extensive  of  tbese  remains  ai-e  found  in  Arizona,  a  re^'ion  tben 
and  now  almost  tbe  b<'art  of  aridness.  and  yet  one  tbat  was  once  occupied 
l)y  cboice  by  the  unknown  |)eoi)le  of  an  unknown  time,  wbo  lived  and 
toiled  in  those  valleys  which  have  not  since  their  time  been  occu])ied,  and 
w  bi(di  have  lon^  since  reverted  to  the  primeval  desert. 

History  makes  it  clear  that  irrijj^ation  lias  entered  lar<,'ely  into  the 
story  of  all  the  older  races.  Tlw  <;reat  canal  wbich  connected  JNdusium 
with  the  Hed  Sea  was  an  irri^atin<;  dit<'b.  Tbe  ^M-eatest  work  of  tbe  kind 
ever  made  was  in  Arabia,  it  existed  bebu'e  tbe  time  of  Solomon,  and  was 
fed  by  a  dam  two  miles  lon^j;  and  two  hundred  and  tifty  b-et  bi^di.  and  it 
endured  b)r  two  thousand  years.  The  historic  plains  of  Assyria  and 
Mabylon  were  all  iri'i^nited.  The  Hebrews  lived  in  (losben  under  IMiaraob. 
and  ^rew  wealthy  and  numerous  as  birmers  under  a  system  of  irrij^'ation. 
The  ancient  l^eruvians  and  Mexicans  had  an  immense  irri^nition  system. 
Lombardy.  in  Europe,  has  at  the  ]»resent  time  an  extensive  system  wbich 
the  modern  Lombards  inherited  from  the  b'omans.  and  in  wbicb  tbe  dis- 
tribution of  tbe  waters  is  a  function  of  tbe  f.{overnment.  Some  of  tbe 
oldest  lands  of  history  are  now  all  arid,  having'  in  their  day  «;rown  rich 
and  powerful  solely  because  they  farmed  tbese  arid  lands  from  cboice.  and 
witb  a  water  supply  altogether  artificial.  Historically  considered,  tbe 
moist  lands  and  the  humid  rej^ions  were  the  last  to  be  occupied  by  a  bi^di 
civilization,  and  among  the  original  entei'inMsps  of  mankind  was  tbe 
making  certain  of  tbe  food  supi)ly  without  reference  to  the  uncertain 
rainfall  of  any  given  year. 

Historic  irrigation  had  two  ends,  one  waste  secure  regularity  of  supply 
in  regions  where  the  natural  rainbiU  was  almost,  or  ipiite  normal,  the 
other  to  redeem  lands  absolutely  arid.  Almost  all  the  irrigation  of  modei'n 
Europe  is  of  the  first  class.  It  has  l)een  practiced  in  England  for  a  long 
period,  but  nuiinly  with  the   puri)ose  of  increasing  the  yield  of  hay   on 


.'I. 


V\ 


-.m  ' 


s  ' 


H 


548 


I'KitSONAL   l{K('()M,K('TI(>NS  OK 


fi     '■ 


V   ll 


wm 


low-lyiii^'  meadows.  'IMiore  is  in  fact  iioajjriciiltiinil  roj^ioii  wherdiiii  iirtiti- 
cial  iiM'uiisiif  wjitcriiijjrtln'  licMs  \V(nil(l  not  lie  of  iinniciise  advantage.  There 
are  times  in  all  laiids  where  the  rain  whicdi  is  needed  does  not  come,  jiiid 
where  when  not  n(>e(h'd,  there  may  he  a  henvy  fall.  Stimnlated  l>y  the 
exiimple  of  i»'ri^;ition  in  the  fji.r  West,  t  he  time  is  cominj,' u  hen  systems 
will  he  estahlished  in  the  re^^dons  (/f  ^neatest  raiidiill.  where  nnused 
streams  ahoimd,  for  the  pnrpose  of  estahlishin^  acon'rol  ov(M' the  water 
sn|>i)ly  foi-  <.,'rowin^'  ('i'o|)s.  Instances  of  irri^'atin^^  systems  exist  now  in 
nearly  all  the  arahle  licdds  lyin^j;  near  oni'  ^'reat  cities,  where  ve^^'tahles 
are  },M'own  lor  maiket.  Tin  li^dit,  cheai»  and  efficient  vXmerican  windmill 
is  seen  whirlinj,'  in  all  the  snmnu'r  hr(H'/(^s,  thon}.(h  it  is  often  the  «'ase  that 
in  the  ajjfjjfregat(>  there  is  i-ather  too  much  than  too  little  rainfall. 

|{ice.  I'ather  than  wheat,  is  the  staple  food  of  tlie   majority  of  maid\ind. 


Mill! 


illions  sid>sist  upon  it  as  the  staple,  almost  the  only  food.  'I'liere  arc 
varieties  that  ^row  without  irrijjation.  hnt  ihat  necessity  exists  in  nearly 
all  rice-^rowinjjf  rej^dons,  and  is  used  in  the  prcKlnction  of  all  of  that  ^nain 
that  reacdies  tiie  market.  This  fact  alone  is  an  index  of  the  a^^e  and  wide 
extent  of  a  system  that  until  recentiv  has  heen  (luite  itjnored  hy  ns,  thouuii 
we  are  even  now  one  of  the  <,a'€^atest  agricultural  nations  of  the  woi-ld. 

The  (inesti(m  of  irri^'ation  in  the  I'nited  States  has  in  recent  years 
))ecome  a  topic  of  ahsorhini;  interest.  The  public  lands  whi(di  are  arahle 
and  lie  in  the  humid  and  sub-humid  regions  are  practically  all  now  occu- 
pied, and  the  process  of  sj)readinjj;  out  and  occupying  has  had  its  hrst  check. 
Yet,  the  soil  of  the  arid  re^non  is  very  rich.  There  is  every  inducement  to 
settlement  if  there  were  only  a  certainty  of  even  a  half  sup[)ly  of  watei-. 
So  recently  has  the  emer^^ency  confronted  us  that  no  action  has  as  yet 
l)een  taken  by  the  general  p)vernment  beyond  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mission to  investij^'ate  general  facts,  and  establish  boundaries,  and  Avliose 
final  report  l.as  never  b(»en  acted  upon.  The  various  States  and  'J'erritoiies 
have  locally  interested  themselves.  The  instances  of  successful  ivrij^nitioii 
in  southern  California  have  been  mentioned,  and  exist  elsewhere  in  locali- 
ties far  apart  over  a  wide  area.  But  they  may  be  said  truly  to  hai'dly 
affect  the  jj^eneral  situation,  which  is  one  of  great  majj^nitude  and  vast  im- 
poi'tanc<\  These  beginnings  have  led  to  investigation  and  imitation,  and 
the  following  are  .'•ome  of  the  facts  that  now  ai)pear. 

According  to  the  census  of  iStM)  Colorado  had  under  irrigation  4.0()S.40<I 
aci'es.  or  about  (),oJ)7  scpiare  miles.  Arizona  had  ()5,S"Jl  acres:  New 
Mexico.  1)1.745  acres:  Wyoming.  2"J1),()7()  acres:  Montana.  Dod.oS-J  aci'cs. 
California  exceeds  the  largest  of  these  figures,  and  there  is  a  still  snniller 


till 


(jiENKlSAL  NKI.SON   A.  Mll.KS. 


54«.) 


...^ ' 


acn'a<;e  in  Idaho.  Wasliiii^toii  and  On'i/oii.  It  will  l)e  s«mmi  how  small  a 
proportion  ol'  the  area  of  these  regions  is  at  thi.>  date  under  the  domin- 
ion of  the  plow. 

The  cost  is  at  present  ^reat.  In  California  tiio  rost.  including'  all 
necessary  ditelies,  is  from  tc.  twenty  dollars  pci-  aere.  In  the  same 
JState   at    least    twelve    ^-..-,-  .. 

inches  depth   of  water    i  ,-         -./.  ^'_-^:;  a  -  ■'''^.''■"'::^^^-'.   ." 

perannnm  are  retpiired 
for  raising  cereal  crops. 
One  cubic  foot  of  water 
every  second  fortwenty- 
four  honrs  covers  two 
aci'cs  with  nearly  twelve 
inches  of  water.  At 
this  rate  of  How  it  re- 
(|uiresone  hundred  days 
to  cover  two  hundred 
acres  with  the  recjuisite 
agt/regate  depth,  given 
at  intervals,  to  raise  a 
cereal  crop. 

Comparing  this  with  the  average  rainfall  in  the  humid  regions  will  con- 
vey some  idea  of  the  relative  situation.  In  the  grain  States  of  the  iMissis- 
si[)i)i  Valley  the  farmer  has  \\\nm  his  land  an  annual  rainfall  almost  never 
less  than  thirty  inches,  and  often  reaching  fifty  inches.  But  it  often  comes 
when  it  is  not  wanted,  and  very  often  fails  when  it  is.  The  great  crop 
years  are  distinguished  not  by  vohune  of  rainfall,  l;ut  by  ecpuible  and 
timely  distribution. 

It  is  rapidly  becoming  a  settled  conviction  that  individual  enterprise 
can  never  entirely  and  adecpiately  solve  the  [)roblem  of  AWvtern  irrigation. 
The  task  is  avast  one,  extending  far  beyond  State  lines  and  individual 
interests.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  there  are  \ast  areas  of  the  public  do- 
main still  remaining  unoccupied,  which  seem  to  recpiire  an  intelligent  and 
judicious  system  of  improvement  by  the  govei-nmcut  in  order  that  t'lebest 
results  may  be  obtained  in  their  settlement,  -nid.  in  oi-der  to  pi-event  ,i 
small  percentage  of  the  people  from  taking  possession  of  the  water-course:' 
and  holding  them  exclusively  for  their  own  benefit,  thereby  shut- 
ting out  all  others  from  the  occupation  of  a  much  larger  i)orti()n,  and  prac- 
tically controlling  the   use  of  thousands  of  square  miles   of  the  public 


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PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


domain,  it  mij^ht  be  well  for  the  j^overnment  to  devise  some  system  l»y 
which  these  lands  may  be  utilized  and  colonized  for  the  beneht  of  the 
home-builders  who  constitute  our  best  population. 

There  is  another  view  of  this  matter  which  should  not  fail  to  be  duly 
considered.  Within  the  last  few  years  we  have  witnessed  the  terrible  re- 
sults occasioned  by  drought,  and  half  crops  or  total  failures  have  ))een 
reported  throughout  many  of  the  States  and  Territories.  We  have  also 
noticed  that  this  has  resulted  in  a  very  large  percentage  of  the  land  in  sev- 
eral of  the  States  and  Territories  referred  to  being  placed  under  vor.\' 
heavy  mortgages, and  should  this  evil  continue  for  a  series  of  years  no  one 
can  anticipate  what  result  may  follow.  That  good  results  can  be  produced  by 
a  scientific  and  judicious  control  of  the  water- courses  of  the  Western  country 
is  a  fact  so  well  established  that  it  does  not  ret^uire  argument.  We  have 
reached  that  period  in  which  attention  should  be  drawn  to  this  important 
subject,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  question  of  water-storage  and  irri- 
gating works  in  the  arid  regions  of  our  Western  country  has  been  engrossing 
the  attention  of  the  citizens  residing  west  of  the  one  hundredth  mei'idian 
more  in  the  past  few  years  than  ever  before. 

While  the  people  of  nearly  every  State  and  Territory  west  of  that 
meridian  have  carefully  considered  the  question,  and  while  their  legislators 
have  enacted  various  local  laws  bearing  upon  it,  the  federal  government 
but  recently  took  up  the  matter  by  an  act  of  Congress  authorizing  the 
investigation  of  the  subject  to  ascertain  to  what  extent  the  arid  regions 
of  the  United  States  can  be  benefited  by  irrigation.  It  stipulated  that 
$1()().0(K)  be  appropriated  for  topographical  surveys  for  the  fiscal  year 
ending  June  3(K  ISSU,  or  any  part  thereof,  to  be  used  by  the  Director  of 
the  Geological  Survey,  Major  Powell,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Interior,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  feasibility  of  providing 
x'eservoirs  of  water  with  a  view  to  the  establishing  of  a  system  of  irriga- 
tion of  the  lands  in  question,  and  Major  Powell  was  directed  to  make  his 
report  to  Congress  at  as  early  a  date  as  was  practicable.  Upon  his  report, 
and  the  recommendation  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior,  the  $l(K),0(l(> 
was  supplemented  by  an  additional  appropriation  of  $250,000  during  a 
succeeding  session  of  Congress,  and  by  the  passage  of  an  act  authorizing  a 
further  investigation  of  the  arid  region.  A  committee  of  senators  was 
appointed  to  visit  the  arid  regions  of  the  different  western  States  and 
Territories  the  following  summer.  It  completed  its  work  of  investigation, 
was  on  the  road  some  fifty  days,  traveling  in  that  time  about  twelve  thou- 
sand miles,  and  taking  the  testimony  of  hundreds  of  witnesses. 


(JKNKUAI.  NKI.SON  A.  .MII.KS. 


651 


These  were  the  first  steps  taken  by  the  general  government  toward  the 
utilization  of  what  is  commonly  called  desert  land.  The  bill  reserves  all 
lands  that  may  hereafter  be  designated  for  reservoirs  and  ditches,  and  the 
lands  to  be  reclaimed  by  irrigation  from  such  reservoirs,  from  the  date  of 
the  passage  of  the  act  and  provides  that  the  President  may,  from  time  to 
time,  remove  any  of  the  reservations  made  by  the  bill,  and  in  his  discre- 
tion, by  proclamation,  open  any  portion  or  all  of  the  lands  reserved  by  the 
provision  to  settlement  under  the  homestead  laws.  This,  however,  might, 
with  benefit,  be  modified  so  as  to  fix  the  price  of  such  lands,  so  improved 
by  the  general  government,  at  such  a  rate  per  acre  as  will  compensate  it 
for  the  expense  of  such  improvement.  The  sums  appropriated,  it  is  hoped, 
are  but  the  commencement  of  necessary  appropriations  for  irrigating 
purposes,  as  they  will  scarcely  cover  the  amount  requisite  for  preliminary 
investigations,  without,  in  the  least,  considering  the  vastness  and  extent  of 
the  work  to  follow.  The  engineers  employed  in  the  work  were  required 
to  measure  the  various 
streams  and  sources  of 
water  supply,  select 
sites  for  reservoirs  and 
other  hydraulic  works 
necessary  for  storage 
and  utilization  of  water, 
make  maps  of  arable 
lands  surveyed,  and  fur- 
nish full  information 
for  the  use  of  Congress 
in  considering  further 
legislation  on  the  sub- 
ject. 

This  has  been  be- 
coming more  and  more 
a  prominent  question  in 
the  history  of  all  the  Western  States  and  Territories,  and  by  being  brought  to 
the  attention  of  the  general  public,  the  necessities  and  usefulness  of  irriga- 
tion may  in  time  be  extended  to  all  parts  of  the  country  where  needed. 
In  some  parts  the  system  would  prevent  the  desolating  effects  of  drought, 
and  in  others,  by  the  use  of  reservoirs  and  dams  for  storing  the  waters,  the 
disastrous  floods  that  almost  periodically  destroy  growing  crops  and  injure 
routes  of  travel   and  commerce   would   be   rendered   less   frequent  and 


RKinvoon  Pn>K.  San  BKRNAKnixo  Cointy,  Calikokma. 


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ii  '    \ 


552 


TKIiSONAL  KKCOM.KCTIOXS  OF 


destructive.  There  is  not  now  a  piece  of  land  sold  in  the  dry  rej^ions 
where  the  judicious  purchaser  does  not  look  well  into  the  question  of  how 
many  inches  of  irrij<ating  water  goes  with  the  land,  that  being  the  most 
important  factor  to  be  considered.  The  water  right,  the  numl)er  of  miner's 
in<^hes  that  can  be  used,  and  the  cost  price  per  foot  per  acre,  are  all  matters 
that  are  duly  considered. 

The  following  resolution  was  presented  in  the  platform  of  one  of  tlu' 
political  parties  in  a  Western  State  some  time  ago  as  an  important 
measure : 

"Resolved,  That  the  waters  of  the  State  belong  to  the  land  they  irrigate,  and  we  favor 
and  will  aid  in  maintaining  a  broad  and  eomprehensive  system  of  irrigation  that  looks  to 
the  benefit  of  the  irrigator  as  primary  to  the  assumed  rights  of  tl:e  ri|)arian  and  aiiijro- 
priator ;  a  system  controlled  by  the  government,  free  to  all.  under  the  control  of  no  class 
of  persons,  and  established  and  maintained  by  a  revenue  derived  from  those  whom  the 
system  will  benefit. 

"  We  believe  the  water  is  the  property  of  the  people,  and  that  it  should  be  so  used  as 
to  secure  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number  of  people." 

The  government  of  our  country  has  an  important  mission  to  perform, 
now  that  it  has  once  taken  charge  of  the  work,  and  it  is  presumed  that  it 
will  continue  until  a  time  when  the  entire  irrigation  system  will  be  under 
its  control,  with  one  simple  law  governing  it  alike  in  all  the  Western 
States  and  Territories.  As  to  whether  the  work  will  ever  be  taken  ener- 
getically in  charge  of  by  the  federal  government  remains  to  be  seen.  The 
enormous  amount  of  money  required  to  place  the  desert  lands  in  a  pro- 
ductive state  would  have  to  be  furnished  by  the  government,  as  it  would 
be  impossible  for  the  States  and  Territories  to  complete  so  vast  a  system 
as  must  be  undertaken;  and  the  funds  expended  should,  by  a  well-matured 
and  comprehensive  plan,  revert  again  to  the  treasury  of  the  general  govern- 
ment from  the  sale  of  its  lands  thus  improved. 

The  feeling  that  it  is  the  work  of  the  federal  government  is  almost 
universal.     In  some  States  resolutions  like  the  following  have  been  passed: 

First.  The  declaration  that  every  natural  stream  and  water  source  is  public  property. 

Second.  Tiiat  the  approp.riation  for  beneficial  uses  of  any  such  stream  must  be  made 
under  legislative  enactment. 

Third.  That  all  water  so  appropriated  in  the  State  is  declared  to  be  a  public  use. 

Fourth.  Rates  and  rents  for  use  are  to  be  fixed  by  public  authority,  but  must  not  ex- 
ceed seven  per  cent,  on  capital  actually  expended  in  constructing  irrigating  works." 

The  legislature  of  Wyoming  has  adopted  the  water  legislation  of 
the  State  of  Colorado,  which  is  considered  the  best  in   use   by  any  of 


'r's 


ilH 


% 


GENKHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


55^ 


the  States  and  Territories.  The  subject  has  been  discussed  at  length  in 
the  various  reports  of  the  governors,  and  all  tiie  Western  States  have 
fostered  and  cared  for  irrigating  enterprises,  and  their  citizens  have  in- 
vested millions  of  dollars  in  the  same,  the  revenue  from  which  makes  it  a 
very  profitable  investment  and  which  benefit  the  people  and  the  country 
adjacent  to  the  plant. 

The  precipitation  of  water  in  the  mountainous  portions  of  the  arid  belt 
averages  not  more  than  twenty  inches  yearly,  although  in  parts,  in  some 
years,  as  much  as  seventy-five  inches  has  fallen  in  a  short  time, 
causing  floods  in  the  streams,  frequently  creating  destruction  in  the 
arable  low  land,  and  the  most  of  it  disappearing  in  the  sandy  wastes  where 
the  average  rainfall  is  scarcely  five  inches.  The  lesser  amount  falling  on 
low  desert  lands  and  the  greater  in  the  mountains,  the  plan  of  building 
dams  across  the  mountain  valleys  or  canons,  wherever  it  can  be  done  to 
advantage  and  at  small  cost,  should  in  all  cases  be  pursued  to  completion. 
Where  natural  catchment  basins  exist — and  there  are  any  number  of 
them  in  the  mountains, — the  government  should  reserve  them  for  future 
irrigation  purposes. 

Private  enterprises,  mindful  of  the  advantages  and  large  returns  for  the 
the  money  invested  and  the  indifference  shown  by  the  federal  govern- 
ment, have  taken  up  many  important  sites  for  reservoirs  which  drain 
areas  many  square  miles  in  extent,  and  control  the  water  for  vast  districts. 
On  the  general  surface  of  the  arid  region  it  is  estimated  that  about  fifteen 
inches  of  water  falls  annually,  much  of  which  can  be  utilized.  All  of  the 
arid  region  embraces  arable  lands  favorable  for  agricuilture  in  all  its 
phases,  from  the  cultivation  of  the  products  of  the  noi-th  temperate  zone 
to  those  of  the  tropics.  Where  irrigation  is  used  in  the  north,  the  season 
for  watering  is  generally  not  longer  than  three  months,  but  in  the  south  it 
embraces  at  least  eight  or  nine  months  of  the  year.  As  much  water  is  used 
at  a  time  as  would  result  from  a  day's  copious  rain.  A  practical  experience 
is  requisite,  as  too  much  water  is  liable  to  produce  more  injury  than 
benefit.  While  the  irrigated  farms  are  larger  generally  in  Colorado  and 
Utah,  in  southern  California  twenty  acres  is  as  much  as  one  family  can 
well  care  for  when  devoted  to  the  cultivation  of  vines,  fruits,  vegetal)les. 
or  alfalfa. 

The  eminent  English  wiiter  and  traveler.  Sir  Edwin  Arnold,  recently 
passing  across  the  continent,  made  this  ol)ser\  ation  : 

"  Nothiiiij  has  struck  me  more  in  my  vi^^it  to  Amerii-ii  tlian  tlie  slojie  of  your  sicrnvs. 
Your  orcliJinls  atul  vinevarils  were  a  revelation  to  me.      Vou  will   be  the  wine  "growers  of 


'i    ' 


i   i 


I      : 


(        I 


11 


554 


PKHSONAL  HKCOLLKCTIONS  OK 


the  world.  Tlicn  in  your  sa^fcbnish  |>liitt>uus  y<>"  only  need  irrijrntion  to  niakc  tlu'm 
fruitful.  Thi'  land  I  saw  in  Nevada  is  almost  exactly  like  what  I  saw  in  India  and 
Arabia,  wliieh  has  Ijcen  niatle  so  j»ro<luctive." 

The  stream.s  of  the  West  find  their  sources  near  the  summits  of  the 
mountain  peaiis  that  are  covered  with  eternal  snow,  and  derive  tlieir 
main  supply  from  the  rains  and  snows  that  fall  within  the  j?reat  hasin 
through  which  they  course  to  the  sea.  and  it  is  in  this  mountain  region 
that  the  lowlands  and  foot-hills  will  have  to  depend  for  the  water  to 
make  them  fruitful  under  cultivation.  The  canons  can  be  formed  int(> 
great  catch-basins  for  retaining  the  rains  in  their  season,  while  natural 
lakes  are  numerous  throughout  the  region. 

'J'he  State  of  California  is  blessed  with   prosperity  derived  from  its 

.     ,       _  ,  irrigating  works,  and  is 

"V/"";:-    '  i-       ... -.    '"  fast    being    populated 

with  a  prosperous  class 
of  agriculturalists  who 
have  been  b  ro  u  g  h  t 
thither  mainly  through 
the  success  of  irriga- 
tion, combined  with  the 
unequaled  climate.  The 
changes  wrought  i  n 
places  in  Cal i f orn i a 
which  not  long  ago 
were  considered  value- 
less have  been  briefly 
mentioned.  Where 
once  it  was  thought 
nothing  but  sage  brush 
and  cactus  could  grow  the  land  has  been  cleared,  ditches  have  been 
made,  trees  have  been  planted,  crops  cultivated,  and  the  land  placed 
in  a  higher  state  of  cultivation  than  in  many  favored  localities  of 
the  Eastern  and  Southern  States.  In  ten  yea:>^  villages  and  cities  have 
sprung  up  where  before  coyotes  starved.  In  fact  it  is  impossil)le  for  one 
to  conceive  how  much  a  country  supposed  to  be  utterly  worthless  can  be 
benefited  by  the  use  of  water,  unless  he  has  seen  such  effects.  To  pass 
from  the  hot,  arid  regions  into  the  fertile  valleys  of  California  is  as  glad- 
dening to  the  eyes  of  the  beholder  as  the  sight  of  an  oasis  is  to  the  traveler 
in  the  desert.     To  see  the  countless  acres  of  trees  with  their  ripening 


Fl.lMK    HlIT,l>I\<i.       Si'KIXOINCt    IN    TniO    linTTOM     I'l.ANK. 


and 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILKS. 


fruit,  the  unlimited  acres  of  grapes.  Helds  of  wheat,  barley  and  alfalfa, 
and  everything  breatliing  life  and  health,  is  to  see  tiie  blessed  use  of 
water,  husbanded  and  cared  for  and  ai)preciated  in  all  its  worth.  Land 
originally  valued  at  less  than  a  dollar  per  acre  has  increased  through  tlie 
benefit  of  a  sure  supply  of  water  until  one  acre  is  wcjrtli  as  nnu'h  as  one 
hundred  would  have  l)een  had  not  the  systems  of  irrigation  be<Mi  estab- 
lished. Without  irrigation,  except  in  certain  moist  lands,  these  beautiful 
valleys  and  lowlands  would  once  more  revert  to  desert  wastes. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  after  hin<l  has  been  thoroughly  cultivated 
by  irrigation  less  water  is  recjuired;  and  it  is  safe  to  assert  that  thousands 
of  acres  of  so-called  desert  land  may  become  adapted  for  agricultural  pur- 
poses without  the  quantity  of  water  at  first  necessary.  Immediately  fol- 
lowing tlie  establishment  of  an  irrigation  district,  after  the  canals,  with 
their  lateral  ditches  have  been  completed  and  the  cultivation  of  crops  has 
commenced,  the  planting  of  trees  should  be  encouraged.  The  eucalyptus 
variety  is  mostly  planted  in  California,  and  the  cottonwood  in  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico.  The  former  has  a  very  rapid  growth,  and  as  a  wind-break 
and  a  protection  to  crops  it  is  used  extensively,  'i'his  tree  planting  would 
in  a  short  time  not  only  change  the  appearance  of  the  country  and  supply 
the  wood  which  is  necessary  for  fuel,  but  would  also  luodify  the  climate. 
It  would  hardly  be  possible  to  estimate  the  value  of  trees  in  their  useful- 
ness toward  reclaiming  arid  lands,  and  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  urging 
the  profuse  planting  of  them.  In  fact,  it  would  be  well  for  thegovernnient 
in  selling  land  reclaimed  througli  any  irrigation  system  to  be  established, 
to  make  it  compulsory  on  the  purchaser  to  plant  a  portion  of  his  acreage 
in  forest  trees.  They  would  only  require  thorough  irrigation  during  the 
first  year,  less  of  it  the  second,  very  little  the  third,  and  possibly  none  at 
all  thereafter.  Tree  culture,  especially  the  planting  of  trees  indigenous  to 
the  country,  should  by  all  means  be  encouraged. 

As  we  review  the  past,  we  notice  the  acti(ui  of  the  unscrupulous  and 
the  insatiable  in  following  in  the  wake  or  hanging  niton  the  thinks,  and 
very  often  seen  in  a  position  far  in  advance,  of  any  hunuine.  jtrogressive 
measure  which  may  be  adopted  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  or  to  promote 
the  welfare  of  the  people.  It  is  wonderful  how  ditlicult  it  is  to  ward  off 
the  schemes  of  avaricious  men.  and  in  a  measure  of  ibis  kind,  which  has 
in  view  the  welfare  of  the  entire  people,  safeguards  cannot  be  too  strongly 
applied  to  protect  '-he  general  public.  It  is  a  fact  to  be  regretted  that 
many  of  our  most  commendable  measures,  whether  municipal.  State  or 
National,  which  have  given   us  avenues  of  commerce,  works  of  art,  and 


i  I 


550 


PEUSONAI.  HECOLF.KCTIONS  OF 


many  iniprovenuMits  for  the  puWIic  good,  whether  patriotic  or  beneHcent, 
have  been  enibarraHsed  and  contaminated  by  the  touch  of  speculation,  and 
the  purpose  of  the  designer  luus  often  been  marred  and  debased  by  the  in- 
fiuence  of  those  who  see  nothing  in  any  pul)lic  or  progressive  measure 
other  tlian  the  opportunity  to  gratify  their  selfish  desires. 

Moreover,  it  siiould  be  distinctly  understood  that  there  are  hundreds  of 
scpiare  miles  of  our  public  donuiin  where  it  would  be  utter  folly  to  sikmkI 
more  nu)ney  than  the  amount  necessary  to  doliuitely  ascertain  the  fact  of 
their  worthlessness.    Extravagance  inexpenditureshouldbeavoided. and  the 

.,,,        -  government     should    systeuuitically 
improve  only  its  lands  which  will  re- 


pay the  expenditure,  and  divide  the 
same  in  such  manner  that  it  c<in  never 
be  monopolized  by  a  few,  but  shall 
be  cultivated  by  an  industrious,  en- 
terprising, and  intelligent  people,  who 
will  build  for  themselves  and  their 
posterity  homes  that  will  enrich  and 
beautify  the  region,  thus  sustaining 
and  promoting  the  general  welfare. 

It  may  be  added,  hnally,that  early 
action    by  the    general    government 
upon  the   irrigation  question  is  ear- 
nestly to  be  desired.      The  reserva- 
tions made  under  the  surveys  alluded 
to  have  not   been  utilized,   and  it  is 
^^   being  urged   that  they  could  be  used 
v'"   with  great  advantage  to  the  country 
by  others,  syndicatesand corporations. 
TrxNET,  Portal,  San  Dikoo  Flime.  jf  tliose  reservations   were  annulleil. 

In  view  of  the  magnitude  of  the  work,  and  its  steadily  growing  necessity, 
it  seems  very  desirable  that  private  schemes  looking  to  the  acquirement  of 
the  actual  control  of  immense  tracts  of  valual)le  land,  should  be  discouraged, 
or  even  rendered  impossible,  by  early  action  by  the  government  in  pursu- 
ance of  the  plan  under  which  these  surveys  and  reservations  were  origi- 
nally made. 

'J'here  are  many  practical  difficulties  to  be  overcome,  and  the  highest 
engineering  skill  will  be  required.  Holland  was  won  from  the  sea  with  an 
immense  expenditure  of  time,  toil  and  money.     Our  task  is  the  opposite 


**-'.^VJ. 


f 


GKNKUAL  NKLSON   A.  MILKS. 


5r)7 


one,  but  attended  with  difficulties  almost  as  i^jreat.  The  work  to  be  done 
must  be  widely  distributed,  and  must  cover  an  immense  area,  and  when 
done  constant  vigilii nee  will  be  the  price  of  permanence.  The  dams  and 
catch-basins  will  HU  with  silt,  the  washings  of  the  mountain  sides.  The 
ditches  will  wash  and  break;  the  tir.st  co.st  will  be  enormous;  the  care  will 
be  costly  and  continuous.  But  the  ([uestion  is  one  that  must  nevertheless 
be  met.  We  have  grown  to  more  than  seventy  millions.  The  waste  and 
idleness  of  any  of  our  natural  resources  will  soon  come  to  l)e  regarded  as  a 
culpable  negligence,  if  not  a  crime.  The  richest  soil  and  the  most  favor- 
able climate  lie  within  the  arid  regions.  To  utilize  all  the  water  that  the 
sky  yields  is  unquestionably  within  the  genius  of  a  nation  that  thus  far 
has  been  daunted  by  no  obstacles  and  deterred  by  no  circumstances. 

A  long  residence  in  the  West  in  contact  with  its  people,  have  turned 
the  writer's  attention  to  such  features  of  the  irrigation  problem  as  are 
here  set  down,  and  as  such  they  fall  within  the  scope  of  the  present  volume. 
Aridness,  a  condition  of  nature,  is,  indeed,  the  only  bar  to  the  com- 
plete victory  of  that  vanguard  which  the  soldiers  led.  It  must  be  con- 
([uered  now  by  science,  and  under  the  law  of  the  greatest  good  to  the 
greatest  number. 


i' 


"J 


I 


■' 


% 


if 


\.- 


558 


PKHSONAI.  HKCOM.KUTIONS  OK 


CHAPTKli  XI.IIT. 

Transportation. 


TlIK     UnHKIIXIKI)    Si'ACK     BrTWPKX    TMK    KaST    and   TIIK     \VK!^I KaIII.Y    H\II.I{UAI)N — KaKIV   I{\||,. 

K<)Ai>s  or  TIIK  Unitki)  Statkh  —  CiiANoi:  IX  Uatks  ok  Si'kki) — I'koi'iikcv  ok  Simon  IIamkkon 

—  Vast  and  Uaimd  Inckkaar  in  Mn.KAdK  —  Tiik  Si-kkimxci  Caii  —  Tmk  <M,d  Passkncsku 

Cwi  —  TiiKorcii    TicKKTs   and  Tkanhkkhs — Tiik    Ohkiin  op  tiik   1dk\    ok   a 

Tkans.(%>ntinkntai,    FjINK  —  Tiik    Union    and  f-KNTUAt  Pacikic  liisKs  — 

Tiik  Noiitiikhn    I'At-iKK!  —  Tiik  Tiiiuty-Kiftii   Pauai.i.ki,    |{oi  tk  — 

Tiik  Soitiikhn  I'acikic — Land  (rHANTs  to  tiik  I'acifk'  I-inks 

—  Sim  ok  FiAND  (Jkants  to  Ai.i,  Links  —  (Jkohs  Lnc'omk 

OK    tiik     Haimioads    ok    tiik    Usitei>    Statks. 

N  Mio  [)rc('e(liii<^  cluipter  I  iiave  descril)ed  the  vast  country  which 
lies  hotween  tlie  rej^ioii  which  now  by  universal  consent  is  the  Kast, 
and  that  which  in  recent  times  has  become  the  actual  West ;  the 
West  which  lies  beyond  the  supposed  possibilities  of  even  a  few 
years  ago.  and  which  is  now  bounded  not  by  an  idea  of  comparative 
locality,  but  by  the  Pacitic. 

This  arid  rejjion  had  not  within  it  the  inducements  to  rapid  set- 
tlement and  remarkable  growth  which  had  already  made  rich  and 
populous  all  the  splendid  commonwealths  which  were  once  called 
Western  States;  which  had  dotted  them  with  cities  and  had  crossed  them 
in  all  directions  with  railroad  lines.  Yet.  beyond  it  lay  the  beautiful 
State,  which  I  shall  describe  in  the  last  chapter  of  this  volume,  and  in 
its  center  lay  gems  like  Colorado,  with  vast  resources  as  yet  only  surmised 
along  its  length  and  hidden  in  its  nooks  and  corners.  More  than  fifteen 
hundred  miles  of  mountain  and  plain  lay  almost  uninhabited  l)etween  the 
most  eastern  settlements  of  the  western  coast  and  the  western  borders  of 
the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi. 

With  a  l)rief  glance  at  the  history  of  the  small  beginnings  of  the  vast 
railroad  system  of  the  United  States.  I  shall  in  this  chapter  describe  how 
this  arid  and  then  unproductive  region  was  bridged,  how  the  farther  Easi. 
was  united  with  the  utmost  West,  and  the  means  by  which  all  that  lies 
between  was  made  accessible  to  the  energy  of  the  American  people,  with 
the  vast  results,  some  of  whose  beginnings  have  been  sketched  in  these 
pages. 


GKNKItAL  NKI.SON   A.  MII.KS. 


rm 


The  locomotive  with  its  hni^  attendant  train  of  cars  has  now  l)e('ome 
such  a  familiar  feature  of  our  landscape  that  it  attracts  hut  little  notice. 
Still  it  is  less  than  the  three  score  and  ten  years  that  are  the  allotted  span 
of  human  life  since.throu^h  thematic  power  of  steam,  was  evolved  so  potent 
a  factor  in  our  civilization.  A  journey  that  once  mi^ht  have  consumed 
weeks  can  now  be  i>erformed  in  a  day;  and  a  journey,  which  in  winter, 
could  only  he  accomplished  at  the  cost  of  exposure  to  cold  and  .storms  and 
the  suffering  entailed  therel)y,  can  now  be  taken  with  as  much  comfort  as 
if  we  renuiined  in  our  own  homes.  Now  the  products  of  ea<'h  respective 
section  are  no  longer  enjoyed  merely  in  that  particnilar  portion  of  the 
country,  but  are  ol)tainal)le  everywhere;  and  in  our  new  West  are  popu- 
lous cities,  that  .seem  to  have  sprung?  up  almost  in  a  night,  which  never 
could  have  been  born,  much  le.ss  attained  such  a  growth  if  they  had  not 
been  connected  with  the  older  portions  of  the  country  by  the  shining 
bands  of  steel  over  which  glides  the  swift  train, 

Tlie  idea  of  a  graded  or  artificial  roadway  is  not  a  new  one  by  any 
means,  for  hs  far  l)ack  as  when  Rome  wfis  mistress  of  the  world,  her 
people,  who  were  always  famous  road  builders,  constructed  ways  of  cut 
stone.  About  one  hundred  and  Hfty  years  ago  what  were  known  as  tram- 
roads  were  built  in  Kngland  to  facilitate  the  conveyance  of  coal  from  the 
mines  to  the  place  of  shipment,  and  here  iron  was  used  instead  of  .steel  for 
rail.s,  as  at  the  present  day. 

Railways  would  be  of  little  value  without  some  power  of  rapid  trans- 
portation, so  when  James  Watt  invented  the  steam  engine  in  177;J,  earnest 
thinkers  began  to  conceive  the  idea  of  a  locomotive,  and  the  tropical 
imagination  of  Erasmus  Darwin  led  him  to  make  in  1781  his  famous 
prediction: 

"Soon  shall  tliy  arm.  unconquort'd  stcaiii!  afar 
Drag  tlie  slow  barge  or  drivo  tlit»  rapid  oar." 

The  first  locomotive  that  was  succe.ssfully  used  was  the  "  Puffing  Billy" 
built  in  1.S13,  which  can  to-day  be  seen  in  the  museum  of  the  English  Pat- 
ent Ottice.  In  1S21  the  Stockton  and  Darlington  Railroad  in  England  used 
a  steam  locomotive,  built  by  the  Stephensons.  but  it  was  only  used  to  haul 
freight  over  a  road  twelve  miles  long.  Tn  1825  a  locomotive  drew  the  first 
passenger  train  over  this  road,  making  the  distance  of  twelve  miles  in 
two  hours.  In  order  that  no  one  might  be  injured  by  their  indulgence  in 
this  swift  rate  of  speed  the  kind-hearted  manager  sent  a  horseman  ahead 
to  ride  down  the  track  in  front  of  the  engine  and  warn  people  to  get  out 
of  the  way. 


iR: 


M.-W 


f  ' 


m) 


I'KlfSONAI,  l?K('OI.[,K(^Tin\S  OF  r.KN.  \ET.S()\  A     MII.Ks. 


-•■■•fr  ■*»:, 


Tlio  J'arlnHKliilc  Kailroad  in  INMUisylviiiiiii  was  the  first  rrmdii)  tliis  conn- 
try  «ni  wliicii  a  lo('(nn«»tiv('  was  nsrd.  'I'jiis  cniiiiH'  was  l\nowii  as  t|i»' 
"Stoiirlirid^T  Lion,"  and  was  Ixiiitin  Kn^Mand  Ity  Horatio  Allen,  who  wont 
tlioro  for  iiuit  «'x press  pnrpose. 

Tlip  loconiotivps  invented  l»y  tin*  Stephensons<'oMld  not  pi  aroniid  sharp 
corners,  und  vast  snnis  were  tllere^or^3(^\p(Ulded  tonuiUethe  line  asstrai;;ht 
as  possilde  and  to  obtain  easy  ^'rades.  WIhmi  the  Americans  first  l»e<;an 
to  huild  railways  in  ls:{|.  the  Kimlish  desi<;ns  werefoliowed  for  a  time,  hnt 

our  en^^'ineers  .soon  found  that 
S  their   money    wonid    not     he 

ami)le  if  such  a  conr.se  was 
pursued,  and  so  were  either 
f  o  re  e  (I  to  stop 
Ituildinj;  or  find 
Honu'way  to  over- 
come these  obsta- 
cles. 'I'lie  result 
was  that  the  swiv- 
elling' truck  was 
invented,  and  also  the 
equalizing  beams  or 
levers,  by  which  the 
weight  of  the  engine 
is  always  borne  by  three  (Jut  of 
four  or  more  driving  wheels. 
Tlie.se  two  improvements,  which 
are  al)solutely  necessary  for  the 
building  of  roads  in  new  coun- 
tries, are  also  of  the  greatest  value  on  the  smoothest  and  straightest 
tracks.  Another  American  invention  is  the  switchback.  By  this  i)laii 
the  length  of  lino  required  to  ease  the  gradient  is  obtained  by  running  a 
zigzag  course  instead  of  going  straight  np  a  mountain.  This  device^ 
was  first  nsed  in  Pennsylvania,  to  lower  coal  cars  down  into  the  Neshoning. 
Then  it  was  emi)loyed  to  caiTy  the  temporary  tracks  of  the  Cascade 
Division  of  the  Northern  Pacihc  Ihiilroad  over  the  Stampede  Pass  with 
grades  of  21)7  feet  per  mile,  while  a  tunnel  was  being  driven  tlirough 
the  monntain.  This  device  has  now  reached  such  perfection  that 
it  is  quite  a  common  occurrence  for  a  road  to  run  above  itself  in  spiral 
form. 


I'l-AiNs  Tkavki.  Hkkohk  Tin;   Ivaii.uoads  Cami; 


I  I 


)llt 
lilt 

\v;is 

icr 

t()|) 


t      s 

■if 


[■I 


TiiK  Oi,i)  AND  Tin;  Ni;\v   \V\y. 


(0(>1  ) 


502 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OK 


'^h 


The  first  cars  wer?  l)uilt  in  tlie  form  of  stagecoaches  with  outside  and 
inside  seats;  then  they  were  built  like  two  or  three  coaches  joined  together, 
and  finally  assumed  the  rectangular  form  now  commonly  in  use.  The  first 
time-table  in  this  country  was  published  in  Baltimore  about  183l?,  and 
referred  to  the  "In-igade  of  cars"  that  would  leave  the  depot  at  a  certain 
time. 

The  rate  of  speed  attainable  by  railroad  trains  is  wonderfully  increased. 
In  1835  when  the  road  was  chartered  to  connect  Philadelphia  with  Harris- 
burg,  there  was  a  town  meeting  held  to  discuss  the  practicability  of  the 
scheme.  The  Hon.  Simon  Cameron,  who  advocated  the  measure,  was  st> 
carried  away  by  his  enthusiasm  that  he  predicted  that  there  were  persons 
present  at  the  time  who  would  live  to  see  a  passenger  take  his  breakfast 
in  Harrisburg  and  his  supper  in  Philadelphia  on  the  same  day.  After  he 
had  finished  speaking,  a  friend  took  him  aside  and  said: 

'*  That's  all  right  Simon,  to  tell  the  boys,  but  you  and  1  are  no  such 
infernal  fools  as  to  believe  it." 

They  both  lived  to  make  the  distance  in  but  little  more  than  two  hours. 
The  fastest  record  was  made  in  181)3  on  the  New  York  Central  when  a 
mile  was  made  in  thirty-two  seconds  or  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  and 
twelve  and  one-half  miles  an  hour. 

In  1830  there  were  but  twenty-three  miles  of  railroad  in  the  whole 
United  States.  In  1840  the  number  had  increased  to  2,818.  During 
the  next  twenty  years  the  increase  was  more  rapid,  making  a  showing  of 
30,035  miles  of  road  in  1860.  During  another  score  of  years  the  number 
was  increased  more  than  threefold,  giving  a  total  of  93,450  miles  in  1880. 
The  building  of  the  trans-continental  roads  advanced  the  rate  of  increase, 
and  in  1893  the  whole  number  of  miles  of  railroad  in  the  United  States 
was  173,433.  The  greatest  yearly  increase  was  in  1882,  showing  an  ad- 
vance of  11,596  miles  in  a  single  year.  The  length  ^jf  the  world's  railways 
in  1894  was  410,000  miles,  or  more  than  sixteen  times  the  greatest  circum- 
ference of  the  earth. 

The  first  passenger  car  which  showed  a  radical  departure  from  the  old 
model,  was  built  by  Mr.  Pullman,  after  a  number  of  years  devoted  to  ex- 
perimenting, and  was  designated  by  the  letter  "A."  evidently  no  one  hav- 
ing the  idea  that  the  twenty-six  letters  of  the  alphabet  would  not  bo 
sufficient  to  furnish  names  for  the  cars  that  would  afterward  be  built. 
The  Pullman  and  Wagner  companies  have  introduced  the  hotel-car,  and 
the  dining-car  has  started  on  its  travels.  Several  ingenious  inventions 
have  been  patented  for  heating  the  cars  with  steam  from  the  engines.     At 


(JKNKI{AL  NKI.SON   A.   MILKS. 


563 


the  present  time,  on  the  same  tniin  may  be  found  sleepinpf-cars,  dining- 
cars,  smoking-saloon.  bath-room,  barber  sliop  and  library  with  books,  desiis 
and  writing  materials.  There  is  free  circulation  of  air  throughout  the 
train  and  the  electric  lights  and  steam  heating  apparatus  all  serve  to  make 
traveling  comfortable. 

All  this  is  in  strong  contrast  to  the  methods  that  prevailtu  during  the 
first  fifteen  or  twenty  years  after  traveling  by  steam  was  introduced.  At 
that  time  the  car  ceilings  were  low  and  without  ventilation:  there  were 
stoves  at  either  end  of  the  car  but  they  had  little  efl'ect  on  the  tempera- 
ture of  the  middle  seats,  while  the  cars  were  tilled  with  cinders  in  a  way 
that  seemed  marvelous  in  contrast  to  the  ditticulty  of  introducing  fresli 
air.  Tallow  candles  were  used  for  illumination  purposes  and  were  chietiy 
noticeable  for  their  odor.  The  roughness  of  the  track  and  the  jarring  of 
the  train  made  conversation  impossible.  The  Hat  rails  used  were  cut  at 
an  angle  and  with  lapped  edges  so  they  were  occasionally  caught  by  the 
wheels  and  driven  up  through  the  floor,  impaliug  the  unfortunate  passen- 
ger who  might  happen  to  be  sitting  directly  over  the  si»ot.  Through  tickets 
were  unknown,  and  at  the  end  of  each  short  line  the  passenger  had  to 
purchase  a  new  ticket,  change  cars,  and  persoually  attend  to  the  transfer 
of  his  baggage. 

Kail  ways  have  so  cheapened  the  cost  of  transpoi-tation  that  it  is  said 
that  while  a  load  of  wheat  loses  all  its  value  by  being  hauled  one  hundred 
miles  over  a  common  road,  meat  and  Hour  enor;,h  to  support  a  man  a 
year  can  be  hauled  Hfteen  hundred  miles  over  a  railroad  for  one  day's 
wages  of  a  skilled  mechanic.  The  number  of  i)eople  employed  in  con- 
structing, equipping  and  operating  our  railways  is  approximately  two 
millions. 

The  Hrst  man  to  advocate  a  trans-continental  railway  is  believtul  to 
have  been  Doctor  Barlow,  of  Massacluisetts.  who  began  in  IS-U  when  the 
railroad  business  was  still  in  its  infancy  to  write  articles  for  the  news- 
papers advocating  the  undertaking  by  the  general  government  of  the  con- 
struction of  a  railroad  from  New  York  city  to  tiie  mouth  of  the  Columbia. 
But  Asa  Whitney  was  the  first  man  to  put  the  idea  into  ])ra('tical  shape 
and  urge  it  upon  the  attention  of  Congress.  He  had  lived  for  a  number  of 
years  in  China,  and  being  familiar  with  the  conditions  of  the  Chinese  and 
the  East  Indian  trade,  and  carefully  calculating  the  distance  from  Liverpool 
to  the  point  where  that  trade  centered,  he  found  that  a  route  across  the 
United  States  by  rail,  and  by  sea  by  the  way  of  I'uget  Sound,  would  be 
considerably  shorter  than  the  all  sea  route  around  the  Cape  of  Ciood  Hope. 


I  I 


J  ', 


^\  k 


564 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


In  December,  1845,  he  appeared  in  Washington  with  a  scheme  for  a  rail- 
road from  Lake  Michigan  to  the  Pacific  Coast,  to  be  built  uy  him  with  the 
proceeds  of  a  grant  of  land  for  thirty  miles  on  each  side  of  the  track.  At 
first  his  scheme  received  nothing  but  ridicule,  but  nothing  daunted  he 
returned  again  and  again  to  the  attack  until  in  1847  he  obtained  a  favor- 
able report  from  the  Senate  committee  on  public  lands.  He  spent  his 
entire  fortune  in  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  this  project,  but  achieved  no 
tangible  results.  Still  his  agitation  of  the  subject  did  much  good,  for  it 
brought  the  subject  prominently  before  the  people,  and  in  185iJ  Congress 
authorized  the  survey  of  various  possible  routes. 

There  was  much  rivalry  between  the  different  sections  of  the  country 
to  secure  the  route  most  favorable  to  their  especial  interests.  Under  the 
provisions  of  a  bill  passed  in  1S62  the  Union  Pacific,  starting  at  Omaha, 
received  a  subsidy  in  government  bonds  of  $16,000  per  mile  for  the  portion 
of  its  line  traversing  the  great  plains;  $48,000  per  mile  for  the  one  hundred 
and  fifty  miles  across  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  $32,000  per  mile  for  the 
remainder  of  the  line.  The  aggregate  of  this  subsidy  for  the  1,033  miles 
of  road  was  $27,226,512.  The  Central  Pacific  received  at  the  same  time  a 
similar  subsidy  in  bonds,  the  total  amount  being  $27,855,680,  or  a  little 
more  than  that  of  the  Union  Pacific.  Each  company  obtained  at  the  same 
time  a  grant  of  public  lands  of  12,800  acres  per  mile  of  road.  This  route 
was  naturally  the  first  selected,  as  it  closely  followed  the  overland  trail  to 
California  made  by  the  gold  hunters  and  was  the  route  that  was  trav- 
ersed by  the  overland  mail  and  passenger  coaches,  and  the  thrifty  agri- 
cultural settlements  of  the  Mormons  in  the  valley  of  the  Great  Salt  Lake 
were  also  on  the  way. 

Stimulated  l)y  the  aid  liestowed  by  the  federal  government  the  Union 
Pacific  and  the  CVntral  Pacific,  which  together  formed  the  first  trans- 
continental line,  made  rapid  progress.  The  Central  Pacific  was  the  first 
to  begin  operations,  the  work  of  grading  being  commenced  at  Sacramento 
in  January.  1863.  though  but  few  people  had  faith  in  its  ability  to  complete 
such  an  undertaking.  A  notal^le  feature  in  the  construction  of  this  road 
was  the  employment  of  Chinese  labor.  At  first  there  were  many  dis- 
couragements to  be  encountered  in  the  work  of  construction,  but  after  a 
time  public  confidence  was  secured,  the  company  became  more  prosperous, 
and  its  monthly  earnings  increased. 

Work  was  not  begun  at  the  eastern  end  of  the  road  by  the  Union 
Pacific  Company  for  eighteen  months  after  it  was  inaugurated  at  the 
v>  estern  terminus,  but  fast  time  was  made  after  it  did  commence,  as  it  was 


GENEHAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


r.rtPi 


ail- 
the 
At, 
he 
IV'or- 
his 
no 
r  it 
ress 


able  to  carry  the  work  on  during  the  winter  while  the  Central  was  delayed 
by  the  deep  snows.  It  had,  besides,  the  advantage  that  there  was  a  level 
plain  over  w'hich  to  lay  its  tracks  for  live  hundred  miles.  The  Northwest 
Railroad  between  Chicago  and  Missouri  wp  completed  by  this  time  so  the 
Union  Pacitic  was  enabled  to  transport  all  its  supplies  by  rail  while  the 
Central  Pacific  had  to  wait  until  its  materials  were  l)rought  around  by  the 
way  of  Cape  Ilo'-n.  By  the  summer  of  1S()7  the  Central  Pa*  itic  had  reached 
the  summit  of  thtj  Sierras,  fifteen  tunnels  were  far  advanced  toward  com- 
pletion, and  ten  thousand  men  and  thirteen  hundred  teams  were  working 
on  the  grade  down  the  eastern  slope.  The  Union  Pacific  had  a  still  larger 
force  at  work  and  was  now  well  on  to  the  foot-hills  of  the  Kocky  Moun- 
tains. 

As  the  work  began  to  near  completion,  it  was  pushed  forward  by  both 
companies  to  the  utmost 
limit  of  their  ability. 
Twenty-five  thousand  work- 
men and  six  thousand  teams  ' 
were  ceaselessly  at  work  on 
the  road,  and  six  hundred 
tons  of  material  were  daily 
forwarded  from  either  end 
of  the  track.  At  one  time 
there  were  thirty  vessels  en 
roxtc  around  Cape  Horn  with 
rolling  stock  for  the  Central 
Pacitic,  besides  what  was 
transported  across  the  isth- 
mus. The  Union  Pacific  showed  equal  energy,  and  the  fact  is  recorded 
that  "  more  ground  was  ironed  in  a  day  than  was  traversed  by  the  ox 
teams  of  the  pioneers  of  '49." 

The  work  progressed  so  rapidly  that  by  the  10th  of  June,  1S()9,  the  last 
spike  in  the  last  rail  was  to  be  driven.  Governor  Stanford  and  Vice-Pres- 
ident Durant,  the  two  great  leaders,  shook  hands  over  the  last  rail  as  it 
was  laid  in  place.  Arrangements  were  made  with  the  superintendents  of 
telegraph  lines  to  connect  with  iill  the  fire  alarm  bells  in  the  various  cities 
all  over  the  country,  that  they  might  be  struck  as  the  last  spike  was 
driven.  Two  gold  spikes  were  sent  from  California  and  two  silver  ones 
from  Nevada  and  Arizona  respectively.  At  the  final  ceremonies  the  two 
silver  spikes  were  driven  first,  after  which  Vice-President  Durant  drove 


At  the  lOOi'H  ]Merit)iax. 


M 


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PKRSONAL  KKCOM.KCTIONS  OF 


one  of  the  golden  si)ikos,  and  tlien  lieland  Stanford  stood  with  uplifted 
arm  waiting  the  moment  that  should  give  the  signal  that  the  w<»rk  was 
accomplished;  the  blow  fell,  the  last  spike  was  driven,  and  the  Kjist 
was  united  in  closer  ties  with  the  West  than  liad  ever  before  been 
possible. 

The  advocates  of  the  Northern  route  did  not  venture  to  compete  with 
the  scdiemes  described,  but  they  did  get  a  charter  and  land  grant,  although 
tiiey  did  not  ask  for  money  or  credit,  and  t\w'\r  bill  was  passed  through 
Congress  at  tlie  same  time  with  the  Union  and  (Central  bill  and  w;is  signed 
by  {'resident  Ijincoln  July  2,  l.S()4.  The  laud  grant,  instead  of  being 
twenty  secti(ms  to  a  mile  of  track,  was  twenty  in  Minnesota  and  Oregon 
and  forty  for  tlui  remainder  of  th(^  way,  but  there  was  no  provision  for  a 
subsidy  in  government  bonds.  Tlu^  passage  of  this  act  was  largely  due  io 
the  efforts  of  Mr.  I'erham,  who  had  previously  advocated  a  road  from  the 
Missouri  liiver  to  the  iJay  of  San  Kran<'isco.  lie  gained  the  favor  and 
friendship  of  Thaddeus  Stevens,  of  INMuisylvania,  who  did  much  to  aid  the 
passage  of  the  bill. 

Thus  the  great  enterprise  was  launched  l)ut  made  very  little  progress 
for  the  next  few  years.  TIk^  fraiK'hise  was  transferred,  a  new  board  ol" 
directors  was  elei'ted,  and  Congress  was  applied  to  for  aid.  'J'he  time  for 
cojnmencement  should  have  been  in  July,  lS()(i,  but  the  new  company 
obtained  an  ext(Mision  of  time,  Jiiid  not  succeeding  in  getting  Hnancial  aid 
from  ('ongress  determined  to  wait  no  longer,  but  obtained  the  passage  of 
an  act  authorizing  the  company  to  issue  its  bonds  and  secure  them  by  a 
mortgage  upon  its  railroad  and  telegraph  lijie.  Th(^  services  of  the  great 
banking  house  of  Jay  Cooke  and  Company  were  secured  for  the  sale  of  the 
bonds,  which  undfM"  their  management  soon  became  a  favorite  form  of 
inv(\st  inent  tor  the  small  savings  of  mechanics,  farmers  and  tradesmen,  as 
well  as  for  the  larger  accnmulations  of  ca|)ita.lists. 

The  construction  of  the  Northern  i*a,('ili(!  b(»gan  in  the  summer  of  1S70, 
but  the  lirst  gj'ound  was  broken  during  the  winter  about  a  mile  west  of  the 
present  town  of  Northern  Pacific  Junction,  where  the  St.  i^iul  <.^'  Duliilli 
h'ailroad  joins  tlu^  Northern  I'acilic.  The  night  before  this  occurred  a  large 
nnmb(»r  of  i)e()ple  drove  out  from  the  neighboring  cities  and  slept  on  the 
Hoor  of  a.  log  house  so  as  \x)  be  on  hand  early  the  luvxt  morning.  A  lire  ol 
logs  had  been  built  the  day  before  to  melt  the  snow  and  thaw  out  the 
fro/en  eaith  in  order  t  bat  it  might  be  penetrated  by  as|)a(le.  Citizens  from 
Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  vver(^  appointed  to  till  the  lirst  wheelbarrow  with 
earth;    they  did  so,   wheeled   the  load  a  few  steps,  dum[)ed  it,  and  the 


(JKNKItAI.   NKI.SON   A.   .MII,KS. 


507 


ho 


ussoinbhij^e   then   dis[>erstMl   witli   clioor   upon    choor    for    tlio    NortlnMii 

Duriug  the  suiimier  of  1870  and  tlio  whole  of  t\u\  year  of  1S71,  money 
poured  into  the  treasury  of  the  Nortliern  l*aeiti(!  ('onipany,  hut  it  was 
Heverely  eripi»h^d  iu  tlie  Hnancial  panic  of  l.S7Ji.  The  newspapers  coni- 
meneed  to  ridi<"ule  it,  and  calhMJ  it  a  si-Ikmuc^  to  huild  a  railroad  from 
"nowh(M'e  through  !io  man's  hind  to  no  phl(M^"  IIow(»v(M-,  the  eompany 
was  reor^ani/(Ml,  and  was  soon  phu'ed  on  a  linn  footing'  uinhu-  Mr.  l{illinjj;s 
of  Vermont. 

Henry  Viiiard,  a  (Jerinan  hy  hirth.  aithou^di  he  csirne  to  th(^  Tnite*! 
States  when  V(M*y  youn^',  hecjimc^  interested  in  some  of  the  Western  rail- 
r<>a(ls,  and  during  the  six  years  folh)vvinj,'  the  panic  of  lS7i{.  {^rachiaily 
v)htained  control  of  the  transportsition  liiM>s  in  the  State  of  On^^on.  Il(^ 
then  conc(Mve(l  the  scluMne  of  uniting  his  own  lines  with  the  Northern 
l*a<'ilic,  and  in  iSSl,  with  this  end  in  view,  he  orj^'aiiiztul  tlu^  "hiind  pool" 
in  N(nv  York  and  in  a  short  time,  with  no  otluM-  scM-urity  than  tluit  of  his 
own  personal  ohlij^ation,  ohtaincMl  .|S,<H)0.(MM).  With  this  and  other  means 
he  se(mred  a  (jontrollinj^  inten^st  in  the  sto<'k  of  the  Northern  I'acilic,  and 
was  elect(Ml  president  of  that  company  in  Sept<imher  of  th<'  same  year. 

The  construction  of  this  roa,d  was  a  s<Mies  of  I'emarkahie  (Mij;ineerin^ 
feats.  Two  of  the  }.?reat  tunnels,  one  at  Mo/eman's  Pass  iti  the  \U'\\  raii^e 
and  the  other  at  Mullan's  Pass  in  tlu^  nuiin  division  of  the  Pocky  Moun- 
tains, were  res[>(Mrtively  il,(J(M)  and  i{,.sr)(l  feet  in  lenj^th.  The  hii^diest  sum- 
mit passed  was  ;■),')(>.")  leet  ahove  the  sea,  level.  Tlu^  w<\st(;rn  t(irminals  oj 
the  Northern  i'acilic  ai-e  at  l*ortland,()re}^'on  and  at  Putret  Sound. 

Another  rout(^  is  known  a.s  the  "Thirty-lifth  Paralh^l  P()ute."and  is  com- 
pos(Mj  of  the  Atlantii'  &  Pacilic.  tlu^  Atchison,  'i\)|)(^ka  &  Santa  Fe,  and  the 
St.  iiouis  &  Sail  Francisco  Pailroads.  This  road  coiiiKH'ts  with  the  Sctiith- 
ern  Pacili(r  in  th(^  southern  part  of  California,. 

'{'he  want  of  a  railroad  across  the  soiithcini  portion  of  our  coiiliiient 
was  (strly  f(dt  by  tli.^  p(H)ple  of  that  section  and  (dTorts  vvc^re  (sirly  ma<le  in 
that  dire(^tion.  A  ^reat  convention  was  held  at  Savannah,  (leoif^ia,  in 
DcmmmiiIhu",  iSoC).  at  which  resolutions  ucic:  adoptetl  to  Hie  elTcct  that  a 
railroad  ou^lit  to  he  huill  from  the  Mississippi  Piver  aloii}.;  or  near  the 
thirty-second  parallel  to  the  Pa,<'ilic  ()(rea,n.  and  even  Ixd'ore  this  tlu^  State; 
of  Texas  had  ^rant(Ml  a  lil)(M'a,l  charter  ihr()U}j:li  its  doimiin,  as  well  as  aid 
hy  jjjrants  of  land  and  a,  loan  of  $r>,(l(l(l  for  (»ach  niih^  of  road  built.  I'lider 
this  charter  forty  miles  of  road  were  completed  before  the  bnsikiii}^'  out  of 
the  ('ivil  War,  which   for  the  time  eHectiially  stop[»ed  th(^  undertaking'. 


w 


If 


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508 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OK 


'il:rM 


Nothing  further  was  done  toward  tlie  building  of  this  line  until  the 
act  of  March  8,  1S71,  providing  for  the  incorporation  of  a  company  to  he 
known  as  the  Texas  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  which  was  empowered  to 
lay  out  and  construct  a  zontinuous  line  of  railroad  over  the  thirty-second 
parallel  of  latitude  from  Marshall,  Texas,  to  El  Paso,  thence  through  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona  to  the  State  of  California,  and  to  San  Diego,  Califor- 
nia. Various  changes  and  consolidations  have  since  been  made  in  this 
line,  and  at  present  the  "Thirty-second  Parallel  Route  "is  composed  of  the 
Texas  &  Pacific,  extending  from  New  Orleans  to  El  Paso,  a  distance  of 
1,162  miles,  and  of  the  Southern  Pacific,  which  extends  from  El  Paso  to  San 
Francisco,  (California,  under  the  general  direction  of  Mr,  C.  P.  Huntington. 
The  Southern  Pacific,  Atchison,  Topeka  &  Santa  Fe.  Fnion  Pacific  it  Central 
Pacific,  Northern  Pacific,  Great  Northern,  with  the  Denver  A:  Rio  (Jiande 
and  Oregon  Short  Line,  constitute  practically  six  great  trunk  lines  across 
the  great  Western  half  of  our  cotmtry.  These  with  their  branch  lines 
form  a  great  network  of  communication  devoted  to  the  commercial  de- 
velopment of  that  vast  empire. 

To  the  companies  building  these  great  Pacific  Railroads.  Congress  has 
granted  P.).(ll5.t)77.r)J)  acres,  a  greater  number  than  are  contained  in  the 
State  of  West  Virginia.  The  whole  number  of  acres  granted  to  raili'oads 
in  the  United  States  is  57,025.582.50,  or  more  land  than  is  contained  in  the 
entire  State  of  Minnesota.  The  sections  where  tliese  grants  were  made 
naturally  include  only  the  Western  and  Southern  States.  The  value  of  the 
land  reserved  was  greatly  enhanced  by  the  building  of  the  railroads. 

Professor  Henry  C.  Adams,  in  an  article  published  in  the  "Review  of 
Reviews"  for  August,  1S*,)4.  says  that  the  annual  gross  income  to  railways 
in  the  Ignited  States  exceeds  .$1,200,000,000,  being  a  sum  greater  by 
$2S5.O00.0OO  than  the  aggregate  income  to  the  Federal.  State,  municipal  and 
local  governments.  The  business  which  gives  rise  to  this  income  is  repn- 
sented  by  eighteen  hundred  corporations. 


SIMON  SNYDER,  Major  5th  Infantry. 
Capture  of  Chief  Joseph  and  Nez  Percys,  1877. 

LIEUT.  ALLEN,  Alaska. 
Exploration  of  Alaska,  1883-84. 


G.  W.  BAIRD    Adjutant  5th  Infantry. 
Campaign  of  Texas  and  Indian  Territory,  1874. 

CAPTAIN   LAWTON. 
Geronimo's  Campaign  in  Arizona.  1886. 


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GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


571 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 
California. 

Size  of  Camforxia— The  Name  "CAMronNiA  "  — Discovkky  —  The  Spaniards— Dhakk  —  Tiik 

C<)MIN(J    OF   TIIIC     FllANriHt'ANH  —  TmK     MiHSIONH — WllAI/l'II    nl'TlIK    SaMK — Till;    InDIANH     AND 

Their  (^)NDiti(>n  —  CrsTOMs  ok  the  Old  Time — First  iMMKiRAX-rs  krdm  tiii;  Stvtes  — 

Commodore  Si.oat  and  General  Fremont — First  IIoisti.xo  of  the  American  Fi.au 

—  Discovery  ofGold — Si'tteh  and  Marshai.i, —  Uaimo  Increase  ok  INhti.ation 

—  The  (!h>    *cter  of  the  Pioneers  —  Admittance  as  a  State  —  (lEodRAi'iiv 

(»k(!amfornia  —  The  Two  Natcrai,  Divisions  ok  tin; State  —  I'ai.ikorxia 

Wonders  —  Yosemite,  Little  Yosemite,  Kino's  Ixivimi  (!aSon,  i:rc.  — 

The    Seasons  —  Vast    Prodcct  ok  the    State   in   F'ri  its   axd 

Cereals  —  MANCKACTrREs  —  Edccational    Institctions  — 

Los  ANCiELEs — Santa  Bariiara — San  Francisco  — 

The   Vkjilance  Committee  —  The  IIahhor. 

ALIB'ORNIA,  with  her  hundred  million  of  acres,  is  lar<?er  in  area 
than  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island.  Connecticut,  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  New  Jersey,  Delaware  and  Maryland,  and  the  ^i-eat 
States  of  New  York  and  Pennsylvania,  all  comhined.  If  it  had 
been  as  thickly  settled  as  these  Atlantic  States  were  in  1890,  the 
census  of  that  year  would  have  ^iven  it  twenty  millions  of  iniiah- 
itants  instead  of  one  million  two  hundred  thousand,  while  if  it 
ever  becomes  as  densely  populated  as  the  small  but  important  manufac- 
turing State  of  Massachusetts  it  will  contain  approximately  forty-three 
millions  of  people,  or  moro  than  thirty-five  times  its  present  population. 
On  the  other  hand,  if  the  busy  little  State  of  Rhode  Island  contained  no 
more  people  to  the  square  mile  than  California  does,  it  would  contribute 
less  than  ten  thousand  to  the  population  of  the  Union.  In  size  California 
is  second  only  to  Texas,  and  from  north  to  south  extends  throuj^h  ten 
degrees,  or  as  far  as  from  the  latitude  of  New  York  to  that  of  Florida. 
It  is  equal  in  territory  to  both  Japan  and  Italy,  each  with  their  t'oi*ty 
millions  of  people. 

The  name  California  is  first  mentioned  in  a  romance  published  not 
many  years  after  the  discovery  of  America,  that  name  having  been  given 
to  an  imaginary  island  situated  near  the  equator,  it  was  afterward  applied 
in  fact  to  the  peninsula  of  Lower  California,  and  eventually  to  an  indefinite 
portion  of  country  extending  as  far  north  as  to  the  forty-second  parallel. 
In  the  first  part  of  the  sixteenth  century  the  coast  was  visited  by  various 


Ih 


' 


i  i! 


572 


PKKSONAK  liKCOM.KCTlONS  OK 


Spjiiiish  navi^T'ors,  and  in  1570  Francis  |)rake  sailod  alonj,'  the  westeni 
siiore  of  the  continent  to  the  latitnde  of  forty-eight  degrees,  naming  tlie 
country  that  is  now  California.  "New  Albion." 

In  1(>7U  the  Franciscan  monks  founded  a  mission  at  San  Diego,  and  sec- 
uhir  immigration  soon  followed.  Tlieir  first  effort  liaving  thus  proved  suc- 
cessful, the  priests  continued  to  plant  tlieir  missions  ah)ng  the  coast  up  to 
tile  year  lS"j;i.  by  whii'h  time  the  revenues  of  tiie  church  from  tiiis  source 
had  become  enormous.  The  Indians  connected  with  tiiese  missions  weie 
taugiit  agriculture  and  various  trades,  and  in  some  cases  even  received  a 
little  education,  but  nevertheless  they  were  held  in  a  bondage  that  was 
iKjthing  more  nor  less  than  a  species  of  slavery.  In  1777  the  Spanish  gov- 
ernment began  to  establish  pueblos  or  towns,  a  measure  which  was  greatly 
opposed  by  the  priests  as  being  detrimental  to  their  interests.  The  Mexican 
revolution  of  1S22  hastened  the  ecclesiastical  downfall  that  was  already 
begun.  Four  years  later  the  Indians  were  released  from  their  allegiance  to 
the  priests,  and  in  I.S84  the  mission  lands  were  divided,  thus  effectually 
tern   iiating  the  church  rule  which  had  so  long  dominated  in  California. 

The  day  of  the  old  Spanish  rtyiutc  was  a  time  of  unbounded  hospitalitv. 
It  was  even  considered  an  offence  for  a  stranger  to  pass  by  a  ranch  with- 
out paying  a  visit  to  its  inmates.  The  hosts  not  only  expected  as  a 
matter  of  course  to  supply  fresh  horses,  but  if  their  guest's  financial  status 
appeared  to  be  somewhat  low.  a  little  pile  ot'  uncounted  silver  was  left  in 
his  sleeping  apartment,  the  idea  being  conveyed  to  him  as  delicately  as 
possible  that  he  was  to  take  all  he  needed.  The  money  was  invariably 
covered  with  a  cloth,  and  it  was  a  point  of  honor  never  to  count  it,  either 
before  or  after  the  guest  went  away.  This  money  was  known  as  "guest 
silver,"  and  the  quaint  custom  continued  until  a  time  came  when  it  was 
so  altused  that  the  generous  Californians  were  obliged  to  abandon  it. 

The  first  emigrants  from  the  Cnited  States  entered  California  in  ISlMJ; 
and  though  followed  at  intervals  by  others,  there  was  still  a  compara- 
tively small  number  of  Americans  in  the  country,  when  twenty  years  later, 
the  Ignited  States,  anticipating  war  with  Mexico,  and  believing  also  that 
England  had  designs  upon  that  part  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  took  steps  to 
secure  an  alliance  with  California  by  promising  assistance  to  the  people  in 
attaining  independence  in  case  of  war.  at  the  same  time  instructing  the 
Ignited  States  consul  at  Monterey,  the  then  capital  of  California,  to  exert 
every  possible  influence  in  behalf  of  his  country.  Commodore  Sloat.  then 
in  the  Pacific,  was  ordei'ed  to  occupy  the  ports  of  Monterey  and  San  Fran- 
cisco in  case  of  an  outbreak  of  hostilities.    Ceneral  Fremont  who  was  at 


GKNKKAK  NKLSON  A.  MILKS. 


B73 


that  time  in  the  country  in  coinnnind  of  a  miusiII  force,  was  ordered  to 
cooperate  with  Sloat.  But  misled  by  reports  of  tlireatened  vi<»lence  to 
American  Hettlei*s,  he  prematurely  encoura^'cd  his  countrymen  to  rise 
aj^ainst  the  Mexican  (Jovernment.  and  seizinj^  Sonoma,  June  14,  I.S4(),  he 
proclaimed  a  republic.  On  July  7,  Commodore  Sloat  seized  Monterey,  and 
war  with  Mexico  having  been  declared,  the  I'nited  States  Ha^'  was  raised 
at  San  Francisco,  and  the  military  department  of  California  was  then  estab- 
lished under  the  command  of  (Jeneral  Philip  Kearney. 

With  the  discovery  of  gold  in  ('alif(n'nia  in  |S4S,  a  new  and  wonderful 
era  in  its  history  begins.  It  seems  .somewhat  singular  that  as  far  back  as 
the  early  part  of  the  sixteenth  century  the  conciuerors  of  Mexico  were 
Hrmly  convinced  that  the  western  coast  of  what  is  now  the  I'nited  States 
must  be  rich  in  gold,  and  sent  out  many  expeditions  to  prove  their  theory, 
and  that  nevertheless  the  precious  yellow  metal  remained  hidden  from  the 
^,,.  :f  man  for  three  hundred  years  longer.  For  many  years  previous  to  the 
day  that  James  Marshall  picked  the  shining  particles  from  the  millrace  at 
(/oloma.  the  idea  of  gold  being  found  anywhere  in  that  country  had  been 
so  entirely  abandoned,  that  we  read  in  the  "Penny  Encyclopedia"  of  ls;{(), 
''In  minerals.  uj)per  California  is  not  rich."  This  idea,  though  erroneous, 
was  a  very  fortunate  one  for  the  United  States,  for  had  the  hidden  wealth 
of  California  been  announced  to  the  world  a  few  years  sooner  we  could 
never  have  secured  from  Mexico  all  the  territory  of  which  California  is 
only  a  small  part  for  the  paltry  sum  of  fifteen  million  dollars,  and  possi- 
bly we  might  not  have  been  able  to  ol)tain  it  at  all. 

It  seems  strange  that  an  event  so  important  to  California,  to  the  United 
States,  and  to  the  whole  world,  should  have  been  the  result  of  a  nere 
accident.  In  1H47  among  the  most  prominent  Americans  in  California  was 
fJene^'al  John  A.  Sutter,  who  had  acquired  many  acres  of  land  there,  and 
had  taken  up  his  abode  at  '"Sutter's  Fort"  at  the  junction  of  the 
American  and  Sacramento  Rivers.  In  the  summer  of  this  year,  he  ])egan 
to  perceive  the  necessity  for  a  sawmill,  and  as  there  was  no  timber  in  the 
valley  he  was  obliged  to  have  this  mill  erected  in  the  mountains.  To 
build  it  he  engaged  James  W.  Marshall,  who  was  to  supply  the  skill  and 
choose  the  site,  while  Sutter  furnished  the  money,  workmen  and  teams. 
Mr.  Marshall  selected  a  site  at  the  spot  afterward  known  as  Coloma.  and 
for  four  months  he  and  his  workmen  remained  in  the  midst  of  a  prime- 
val wilderness  engaged  in  the  construction  of  the  mill.  At  the  end  of 
that  time  the  structure  was  nearly  completed,  the  dam  had  been  made, 
the  race  had  been  dug,  the  gates  had  been  put  in  place,  the  water  had 


1 


i 


574 


PKIfSONAI,  |{K('()M.K(TI()NS  OF 


been  tunu'd  into  tln>  nice  to  carry  away  tlio  loose  dirt  and  gravel,  and  tlwn 
turned  off  apiin,  and  on  the  niorning  of  tlie  24tli  of  .Ian nary,  1S4S.  Mai-- 
sluill,  while  taking  his  nsnal  walk  along  the  race  after  shntting  otT  tlu> 
water,  was  attracted  by  a  snnill  shining  object  abont  half  the  size  of  a 
pea.  lie  hastily  picked  it  np,  and  the  resnits  of  his  lind  are  known  t«»  all 
the  world. 

Marshall  himself  received  very  littler  benefit  from  his  discovery.  Had 
notoriety  been  enongh  to  satisfy  him  he  might  have  been  well  content,  for 
his  name  btu-ame  widely  celebrated,  bnt,  as  lie  once  naively  remarked,  that 
was  "neither  victnals  nor  clothes  to  any  one."  Owing  to  this  neglect  he 
gradnally  became  end)ittered  against  all  nninkind,  and  after  spending  th<> 
last  years  of  his  life  in  i)overty  and  privation,  he  died  in  IMS'),  at  the  age 
of  seventy-three,  and  was  buried  at  a  spot  within  sight  of  the  place  whtMe 
he  made  his  famous  discovery.  His  figure  in  colossal  bronze  has  since 
been  erected  over  his  grave,  and  stands  like  a  sentinel  guarding  the  spot 
where  the  great  event  of  his  life  occurred.  It  was  an  event  which  affected 
many  lives  for  weal  or  woe,  which  turned  the  tide  of  emigration  from  jdl 
[)arts  of  the  world  to  California,  which  caused  the  development  of  the 
neighboring  States,  and  which  finally  made  necessary  the  building  of  the 
great  trans-continental  railroads. 

The  impetus  thus  given  to  emigration,  which  was  felt  all  over  the  globe, 
increased  the  scanty  population  of  California  to  such  an  extent  that  by  the 
end  of  1S4U  there  were  more  than  a  hundred  thousand  people  within  her 
borders.  Naturally  this  was  not  a  healthy  growth,  for  there  was  much 
reckless  speculation  and  extravagant  living,  which  had  its  demoralizing 
influence  upon  the  inhabitants.  Life  in  California  at  that  time  was  a  kind 
of  pandemonium.  Thousands  of  men  were  constantly  leaving  and  arriv- 
ing; money  was  plentiful  and  freely  spent;  miners  who  had  made  their 
fortunes  in  a  few  days  squandered  them  in  a  single  night  at  the  gaming 
table.  There  were  but  few  women  in  the  entire  territory,  and  all  good 
influences  were  chiefly  consi)icuous  by  their  absence.  The  whole  popula- 
tion of  the  towns  and  mining  camps  consisted  of  unkemj)t  men  clad  in 
flannel  shirts,  patched  clothing  and  heavy  boots,  and  the  hearts  of  all  were 
animated  by  one  great  impulse — the  thirst  for  gold.  There  was,  however, 
a  strong  touch  of  sentiment  in  their  rough  lives ;  as  for  instance,  when  an 
intense  excitement  was  one  day  crccated  in  a  small  town  l)y  a  rumor  that 
an  invoice  of  women's  bonnets  had  arrived  —  there  was  a  rush  from 
every  direction  to  get  a  view  of  them.  The  sight  of  anything  so  in- 
tensely feminine  as  a  bonnet  touched  the  hearts  of  those  rough  men,  and 


<;KNKI{AI.  NKl.SON  A,   MILKS. 


hVi 


u\vak<MM»(l   \i\   their  lueastw    tli(mj;lits    niui    tVoliii^'s   that    had    loii^r   hiiii 
(h)nnaiit. 

Alth()Ufj;h  Sail  Francisco  was  imuh'  a  port  of  entry,  no  Territorial  ^'overii- 
nient  was  ever  formed  in  California.  As  eaiiy  a.s  \SV.)  the  people  had  suc- 
ceeded in  frainiii};  a  constitnticm  iiiiich  reseinlilin^'  that  of  New  York  ;  and 
in  September  of  the  following  year,  California  was  admitted  into  the 
Union,  heiiifjj  the  thirty-tlrst  inemher  of  the  j^i't'at  sisterluKui  of  States. 
Two  years  of  amazing  prosperity  followed,  then  speculation  in  all  kinds  of 
property  ran  riot,  finally  bringinj.?  about  tlu'  linam'ial  crisis  of  iS.V'i. 

When  the  great  Civil  War  came  it  was  teared  that  California  was  con- 
templating secession,  and  she  was  therefore  exempted  from  furnishing 
troops.  Bnt  the  Cnion  party  was  stronger  than  luul  been  imagined,  and 
came  to  the  front  most  nobly,  not  only  contributing  a  million  and  a  half  to 
the  national  cause,  but  voluntarily  sending  a  considerable  number  of 
volunteers  into  the  field. 

Smce  that  time  the  State  has  been  constantly  developing  new  resources, 
and  has  rapidly  gained  in  importance.  It  was  the  oi)inion  of  so  iini)artial 
an  observer  as  Charles  Kingsley,  when  he  visited  that  part  of  the  country  as 
far  back  as  1S74,  thatCalifornia  wasdestined  to  eventual  lybtM-onu^the  finest 
country  on  the  globe,  and  were  he  living  now  he  would  have  no  occasion  to 
change  his  views.  Between  the  northern  and  southern  portions  of  the 
State  lies  a  great  transverse  range  of  mountains,  the  lowest  passes  of  which 
are  from  four  to  five  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  This  range, 
with  the  division  it  makes  in  the  lines  of  trade  and  travel,  seems  gradually 
forcing  the  two  sections  apart.  The  geographic,  topographic,  and  climatic 
differences  between  the  two  parts  are  so  radical  that  the  indications  are 
that  sooner  or  later  they  mast  inevitably  lead  to  a  political  division. 

In  California  there  are  two  great  mountain  ranges,  the  Coast  Range  and 
the  Sierra  Nevada;  and  in  the  latter  it  is  estimated  that  there  are  at  least 
one  hundred  peaks  over  ten  thousand  feet  in  height. 

"  Afar  the  bright  Sierras  He 

A  swaying  line  of  snowy  white, 
A  fringe  of  heaven  hung  in  sight 
Aijainst  the  blue  base  of  the  sky." 

Among  the  most  noted  of  these  peaks  are  Shasta,  Tyndall  and  Whitney, 
but  there  are  others  that  almost  equal  them  in  height  and  grandeur.  The 
largest  and  only  navigable  rivers,  with  the  exception  of  the  Colorado,  are 
the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin. 


ll 


I'KIJSONAI.  l{K('()LLK("ri()NS  OK 


k« 


'II 


,* 


All  emiiiieration  of  the  ^'iviitest  wonders  of  the  world  wouhl  not  be 
complete  without  mention  of  the  iniirvelons  Yosemite  Valley.  It  lies  in 
the  Sierra  foot-hills  in  the  tion^'h-like  erosion,  a  mile  in  breadth  and  six 

./    in  lenjjth,  with  a  flat  bottom  of 

.-  ■■^*-  %^  •      - in-e^nilar    width.      The    visitor 

le  wonder  of  this 
almost     pros- 
d   by   the   f^dory 
majesty    of    his 
mndinjj:s.   Kn\er- 
it  the  lower  end, 
a  j^eneral  view  of  the 
valley    is     obtained. 
On  the  left  rises  the 
celebrated  ER'apitan, 
thirty-three  hnndred 
feet  in  hei^dit.  while 
'   >  '  on  the  rijjht  falls  the 

MoiNT  Shasta.  Hridal  Veil,  a  cascade 

of  gossamer  a  thonsand  feet  from  top  to  bottom.  The  floor  of  the  valley 
is  carpeted  with  the  most  beantifnl  Howers  and  blossoming  shrubs,  and  is 
fringed  with  groves  of  oak,  cedar  and  fir.  while  the  Merced  Hiver  winds 
and  dashos  its  way  along  through  this  wonderful  beauty,  helping  to  form 
a  scene  of  incomparable  loveliiuvss. 

••Wliilt'  we  walk  suhcliied  in  woiuUt 
In  tilt'  ferns  and  i^rasses  under 
And  lu'sidt'  the  swift  Merced." 

Farther  up  the  valley  is  the  obelisk-like  Sentinel  Rock,  towering  three 
thousand  feet  into  the  air,  and  just  across  from  this,  fed  exclusively  by 
melted  snows,  are  the  great  Yosemite  Falls,  the  most  remarkable  in  the 
world  when  both  height  and  volume  are  considered,  they  being  hfteen 
times  as  high  as  Niagara  and  of  indescribable  grandeur.  Krom  the  verge 
of  a  peri)eudicular  wall  the  water  springs  and.  swayed  hither  and  thither 
by  the  wind  as  it  falls.  strik(\><  an  inclined  shelf  of  rock  from  which  it 
tumbles  in  a  series  of  beautiful  cascades  six  hundred  and  tvventy-tive  feet 
more  before  it  takes  its  hnal  plunge  of  four  hundred  feet  to  com])lete  its 
half  mile  leap,  while  every  moment  its  deep  continuous  roar  is  heard 
reverberating  through  the  caHon.    Two  miles  above  the  Yosemite  Falls  the 


CJKNKIiAL  NKI.SON   A.  MILES. 


577 


litlicr 
Ich  it 
foot 
Ite  ils 
licar<l 
Is  the 


valley  separates  into  three  canons.  Choosin<?  the  one  throii»;h  which  Hows 
the  Merced,  you  pass  alonj^  beside  two  miles  of  cascades  iu  which  distance 
this  dashinj?,  foaniinj?  river  descends  over  two  thousand  feet.  Then  follow 
more  magniticent  waterfalls,  surrounded  by  scenery  sublime  and  impres- 
sive beyond  description. 

Marvelous  as  is  the  Yosemite,  it  is  only  one  of  the  numerous  won- 
ders of  California.  The  Little 
Yosemite  Valley  is  almost  a  coun- 
terjiart  of  the  greater  on  a  snuiller 
scale.  The  widely  celebrated  nuim- 
moth  trees  of  California  have  not 
their  like  upon  the  planet.  From 
a  careful,  minute  and  scientitic  ex- 
ani!  Tttion  by  (ieneral  Sherman 
with  several  eminent  scientists,  it 
was  found  that  these  giants  of  the 
forest  were  standing  when  Moses 
was  an  infant  in  the  bulrushes, 
and  for  more  than  four  thousand 
years  they  have  detied  the  ele- 
ments, lioth  the  Columbia  and 
Fraser  Kivers  have  their  lifty  miles 
and  more  of  stupendous  gorges 
several  thousand  feet  in  depth,  but 
grander  yet  is  the  King's  River 
Canon,  with  its  hard  granite  walls 
from  three  thousand  to  seven  thou- 
sand feet  in  depth. 

Although  there  are  two  seasons 
in  California,  the  wet  and  the  dry. 
the  fornuM*  is  so  called  rather  be- 
cause it  is  the  only  time  when  there 
is  any  rain  than  because  it  falls 
continually,  for  there  are  a  great 
nuiny  delightfully  pleasant  days 
during  that  period  of  the  vear. 
the    climate    of   the    whole  State 


(JT.ArrEK  I'oiNT.     VosEMirio  \'ai,i,icv, 


It  is  scarcely  possible  to  speak  of 
at  once,  since  there  is  a  dc'cided 
difference  between  th(^  northern  and  southern  portions.  To  the  north  of 
Point  Conception  the  w  inds  are  such  as  to  give  the  ui)per  part  of  the  State 


M.-:U 


578 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


m 


Pi 

m 


jii' 


the  exceedingly  dry  atmosphere  for  which  it  is  noted.  The  climate  of  the 
southern  portion  is  most  delightful,  and  is  widely  celebrated  for  its  health- 
giving  qualities.  Here  the  first  rain  falls  anywhere  from  the  middle  of 
October  to  the  middle  of  November,  then  come  three  or  four  weeks  of 
pleasant  weather  to  be  followed  by  another  rain,  this  time  very  likely 
accompanied  by  a  snowfall  in  the  mountains.  With  the  coming  of  the 
rains  the  land  begins  to  renew  its  verdure,  and  shortly  the  plains  are 
covered  with  the  richest  of  green  carpets.  Both  the  winds  that  regulate 
the  seasons  and  those  which  control  the  daily  temperature  are  exceedingly 
regular. 

The  commerce  of  California  centers  mainly  at  San  Francisco,  whose 
harbor  ranks  that  city  among  the  few  great  seaports  of  the  world.  Below 
Puget  Sound  the  best  harbor  on  the  Pacihc  Coast,  with  the  single  notable 
exception  of  San  Francisco,  is  San  Diego;  but  this  seaport  unfortunately 
labors  under  the  disadvantage  of  lying  on  the  southern  edge  of  the  great 
agricultural  belt  of  southern  California,  thus  giving  to  San  Pedro,  though 
~  not  nearly  so  good  a  natural  har))or,  and  Santa 

Monica,   much   trade  vvhic  li  would  otherwise 
have  fallen  to  its  share. 

California  still  leads  in  the  production  of 
gold.     Nearly  all  the  mines  are  on  the  western 
slope  and  in  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas 
in  a  belt  of   country  al)out  two  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  long  by  forty  miles  wide,  and  ex- 
tending   into   Oregon.     Besides    gold,  a  rich 
(luality  of  silver  and  various  kinds  of 
iron  are  found;  also  tin,  copper,  zinc 
and  lead.     The  manufactures  of  the 
State  include  a  great  variety,  and  are 
I  rapidly  growing  in  importance. 

The  most  widely  known  of  the 
educational  institutions  of  California 
is  the  Leland  Stanford  Vniversity. 
situated  at  Palo  Alto  and  formally 
opened  in  ISDl.  It  was  founded  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leland  Stanford  in 
memory  of  their  son,  who  died  in  1S84.  It  was  a  princely  gift  and  probably 
the  largest  and  most  valuable  donation  ever  given  by  one  man  for  the 
benefit  of  his  fellow  men.     The  Lick  Observatory,  erected  through  the 


Lklaxd  Stanford. 


,  I !' 


Ml 


GENEKAl.  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


579 


^^i^^ 


S^M^^^^^^^WFf 


LkLANI)    StAXKOKI)    UnIVKRSITY,    I'aT.O    Ai.TO,    t'.ililFOKVIA. 
Koble  Hull.  The  Musfum.  K  icinii   Hall. 


U 


l! 


Ul 


680 


PEHSONAL  UECOJ.LKCTIONS  OF 


generosity  of  James  Lick,  is  l)uilt  on  the  summit  of  Mount  Hamilton,  near 
San  Jose.  It  is  over  four  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  and  it 
was  necessary  to  remove  seven  thousand  tons  of  rock  from  the  summit  of 
the  mountain  in  order  to  j^jet  a  level  platform.  This  most  powerful  tele- 
scope is  a  refractor  of  thirty-six  inches  clear  aperture. 

The  State  University  is  one  of  the  finest  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the 
country.  The  instruction  in  all  the  colleji^es  is  open  to  all  persons  without 
distinction  of  sex.  Besides  the  university  proper  at  Berkeley  there  is  the  Lick 
Astronomical  Department  at  Mount  Hamilton,  and  in  San  Francisco 
departments  of  Art,  Law,  Medicine,  Dentistry  and  Pharmacy.  The  uni- 
versity was  instituted  by  a  law  approved  in  1S()8  and  instruction  was 
begun  in  ISfU);  and  in  1S73  it  was  formally  transferred  to  its  present  site.* 

In  1781,  when  the  Franciscans  established  a  mission  in  Los  Angeles,  it 
was  already  a  thriving  pueblo.  On  {^ccount  of  the  beauty  of  its  location, 
its  charming  climate  and  fertile  soil,  the  Spaniards  gave  it  a  name  which 
being  translated  means,  "the  town  of  the  queen  of  the  angels,"  which  was 
afterward  shortened  to  Los  Angeles.  It  was  not  until  Monroe  was  serving 
his  second  term  that  the  first  American  entered  the  precincts  of  the 
beautiful  town,  and  he  was  l^rought  there  by  the  Mexicans  as  a  prisoner. 
However,  he  liked  the  place  so  much  that  he  had  no  wish  to  leave,  but 
married  into  a  Spanish  family  and  settled  down  as  a  citizen. 

Two  years  later,  in  LS24,  a  Scotchman  came  to  the  town  and  opened  a 
store  on  the  American  plan,  and  in  LS81  the  Santa  Fe  trail  was  opened, 
and  by  creating  a  new  outlet  to  the  Fast  greatly  developed  trade.  Four 
years  later  the  town  achieved  the  importance  of  being  made  the  capital  of 
California,  and  in  LS4(),  when  war  had  ))een  declared  with  Mexico.  Fremont 
marched  into  Los  Angeles  and  raised  the  stars  and  stripes.  Don  Pio  Pico, 
who  was  then  the  Mexican  governor  of  California,  escaped  from  the  town 
at  the  time,  but  afterward  returned  and,  though  he  would  never  acknowl- 
edge that  the  Americans  had  any  right  to  California,  l)ecame  a  registered 
voter,  and  at  the  time  1  had  my  headquarters  there,  though  a  very  old  man. 
he  was  still  casting  his  l)allot  with  all  the  regularity  of  a  native  of  the 
United  States.     When  Fremont  was  appointed  (Jovernor  of  California  he 

*  III  tills  connection  I  miiy  add  that  by  an  act  of  C'onf,'rcsH  ai)iinivcd  .Uily  IT.  1.S54.  two  townsliliis  of  land  were 
granted  to  the  Territory  of  Washington  for  thi' p\iri)ose  of  estaMlshinB  a  university,  hut  owlnj;  to  the  vacillation 
of  the  Territorial  legislature,  nothing  was  actually  done  towards  ereeling  a  building  until  IM'.I.  In  March  of  that 
year  the  stone  of  the  university  building  was  jilaced  in  iiosition  at  Seattle.  In  Seiiteniber.  l.sito.  the  university  was 
transferred  to  lu'w  (luarters  in  a  reinarkalily  beautiful  situation  sonu' distance  from  the  center  of  the  city.  The 
Cniversitv  of  Washington  is  maintained  by  the  eommonwi'nlth  and  has  also  been  richly  endowed  with  lands  by 
the  government.  With  the  excei>tion  of  the  department  of  music  and  law.  tuition  Is  free  to  all  residents  of  the 
Stall  of  Washington,  and  is  o]..>n  to  both  sexes.  The  I'liiversity  of  Oregon,  estalilished  in  1.H72.  is  situated  in 
Eugene  and  was  endowed  at  Ih'  start  with  .t.'jO.otK). 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


581 


established  his  headquarters  in  the  finest  house  in  Los  Angeles,  for.  as  an 
old  settler  once  remarlced,  ''Fremont  always  would  have  the  best  of  every- 
thing."    His  widow,  the  gifted  Jessie  Benton,  resides  there  now. 

The  soil  in  this  section  is  generally  very  rich,  even  the  so-called 
"  deserts  "  needing  only  irrigation  to  make  them  exceedingly  prolific.  The 
annual  rainfall  is  (luite  sufticient  to  nuiture  many  of  the  crops,  though 
there  were  5,500,()()()  acres  under  irrigation  in  lSi)4.  The  agricultural  fame 
of  southern  California  is  now  world  wide,  yet  twenty-five  years  ago  its 
inhabitants  imported  all  their  vegetables,  their  fionr.  and  everything  else 
in  the  way  of  food  except  their  meat,  which  they  obtained  from  their 
fiooks  and  herds.  Now  great  train  loads  of  these  very  products  are  shipped 
from  there  every  day. 

Upon  many  lands,  after  the  winter-sow^i  crop  has  been  harvested  with- 
out the  aid  of  irrigation,  another  crop  is  produced  with  the  aid  of  that 
important  auxiliary, 
thus  making  the  same  -'A 
land  do  double  duty. 
The  water  used  for  this 
purpose  is  obtained 
from  the  rivers,  small 
streams,  and  from  r"te- 
sian  wells.  The  first 
oranges  produced  in 
that  region  were  from 
trees  planted  at  Los 
Angeles,  and  now  the 
annual  shipment  aggre- 
gates many  thousands 
of  tons.  Fruit  culture 
of  all  kinds  is  exceed- 
ingly profitable,  and  the 
crops  are  simply  enormous.  Wheat,  rye,  barley  and  hops  are  largely 
produced. 

Los  Angeles,  the  chief  city  of  southern  California,  and  the  headcpiarters 
of  the  Department  of  Arizona,  is  situated  midway  between  the  mountains 
and  the  ocean,  the  Sierra  Madres  towering  up  fourteen  miles  to  the 
east,  while  the  broad  and  peaceful  Pacific  lies  the  same  distance  to  the 
west.  Tt  is  the  center  of  one  of  the  finest  agricultural  regions  in  the 
world. 


luKUiATIMl    DiTCllKS.       OrANGE    CtROVE. 


582 


PERSONAL  HECOLLECTIONS  OF 


"\Vliere  the  i^rape  is  most   lust-ious.  wlifre  laden. 
liOiiiT  brandies  bend  d(>ul)le  witli  <^()ld; 
Los  Anj^eles  leans  like  a  maiden. 

Red,  blusliin^r,  half  sliy  and  half  bold." 

Tlie  tirst  Prote.stant  preacher  arrived  in  1S5(),  with  his  entire  earthly 
pos.ses.sions  contained  in  the  ox-cart  of  which  he  hiniiself  wa.s  tlie  chariot- 
eer. The  first  American  child  who  could  claim  Lo.s  Angeles  as  his  native 
town  was  born  in  April,  l.S.')l,  and  the  birth  of  the  town's  first  newspaper 
was  chronicled  a  month  later,  liy  1.S.J4  the  population  had  increased  to 
four  thou.sand,  though  only  five  hundred  were  Americans. 

Since  the  completion  of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad,  Los  Angeles  has 
made  great  progress,  and  now  presents  an  odd  i>icture  of  the  coml)ination 
of  a  sleepy  old  Spanish  pueblo  with  a  thriving,  pi'ogressive  American  city. 
The  Los  Angeles  Kiver,  which  according  to  an  old  Spanish  grant  lielongs  to 
the  city  from  its  mountain  source  downward,  runs  through  the  town,  and 
a  large  irrigating  system  is  included  in  the  municipality. 

lios  Angeles  is  an  extremely  cosmopolitan  city,  almost  every  nation 
under  the  sun  being  represented  among  her  inhal)itants.  The  city  can 
boast  numy  fine  educational  institutions,  and  numerous  churches  and 
philanthropic  societies.  Among  the  most  unique  of  its  charities  is  the 
Flower  Festival  Society,  which  each  year  gives  a  grand  Moral  carnival  the 
proceeds  of    which  are  used  for  the  benefit  of   young  working  women. 

Although  not  usually  regarded  as  a  manufjicturiug  city,  nevertheless 
Los  Angeles  contains  a  large  number  of  extensive  factories.  IVominent 
among  these  are  a  number  of  iron  foundries,  several  flouring  and  feed 
mills,  a  dozen  planing  mills,  etc.  The  city  is  lighted  by  electricity,  and 
there  are  cable  and  electric  street  cars  which  take  one  to  every  part 
of  it.  The  chief  exports  to  the  Fast  are  dried  and  green  fruits,  wool,  wine 
and  vegetables.  Dui'ing  the  season  the  exportation  of  oranges  is  enor- 
mous. The  climate  of  Los  Angeles  is  delightful  in  both  summer  and  winter, 
there  seldom  being  a  year  in  which  there  are  half  a  dozen  cloudy  days 
from  the  middle  of  May  to  the  middle  of  November. 

Santa  Barbara  is  another  important  and  beautiful  city  of  southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  is  widely  known  as  a  health  resort.  Monterey  is  undoubtedly 
the  most  beautiful  watering  place  on  this  continent,  if  not  in  the  world. 
Nature  and  art  have  been  lavish  in  its  adornment.  The  great  live  oaks, 
the  forests  of  pine,  cedar  and  spruce,  the  remarkable  groves  of  the  cedars 
of  Lebanon,  the  abundance  of  wild  flowers, joined  to  what  the  skilled  floiists 
and  architects  have  added,  make  it  a  most  interesting  and  attractive  place. 


GENERAL  NELSON  A.  MILES. 


583 


In  uortliorn  California  among  the  chief  cities  are  Oakland,  Sacramento,  the 
capital,  and  most  important  of  all,  not  only  to  that  part  of  California  hnt 
to  the  whole  Pacific  Coast,  San  Fran<*isco. 

When  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventc^enth  c(Mitiiry  the  Franciscan 
fathers  were  makinjjj  their  little  explorinj^'  expeditions  throiighont  the 
sonthern  portion  of  California,  they  christcmed  the  lakes,  rivers  and  nionn- 
tains  they  discovered  in  honor  of  their  missions  and  various  saints  and 


OuANiiK  (iKdVK  Ni;.\u  Los  AN(ii;i,i:s. 

angels.  One  of  these  priests  was  extremely  solicitous  that  the  patron  of 
his  order  should  not  be  neglected  in  this  distribution,  and  to  this  end  ])e- 
sought  both  Clod  and  the  Virgin,  l)ut  without  a\ail.  lie  then  urged  the 
matter  upon  the  Visitador-tieneral  (Jalvez  who  bluntly  replied:  '"If  our 
seraphic  father.  St.  Francis  of  Assisi.  -would  have  his  name  to  signalize  some 
station  on  these  shores  let  him  show  us  a  good  haven."  This  being  tlie 
condition  of  affairs,  when  the  little  band  of  explorers  after  a  weary  journey 
along  the  rough  sea  coast  suddenly  found   themselves  on   a   high  point 


1 


I' 

I 


'  '     »    ^  -mA  ^ 


584 


I'EHSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF 


overlooking  a  broad,  peaceful,  nearly  land-locked  sheet  of  water,  dotted 
with  j^reen  isles  inhabited  only  by  the  seals  and  sea  lions,  with  one  voice 
they  exclaimed  :  "S.irely  this  must  be  the  bay  of  San  Francisco." 

Here,  during  the  very  year  which  witnessed  the  signing  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  on  the  eastern  border  of  our  continent,  was  planted 
the  presidio  of  San  Francisco,  and  near  the  Golden  (late  a  fort  was  erected. 
The  present  city  began  its  growth  at  a  little  indentation  of  the  coast  three 
miles  from  this  point,  and  the  first  name  it  received  was  the  significant 
one  of  Verba  Buena  —  good  herl)s  or  grass.  At  the  time  when  Mexico  was 
throwing  off  the  yoke  of  Spain,  the  soldiers  of  the  presidio  were  faithful  ^> 
their  country  even  though,  owing  to  the  sad  state  of  the  finances  of  the 
home  government,  they  received  no  wages. 

In  1889  Yerba  Buena  was  laid  out  as  a  city;  a  public  plaza  being  first 
measured  off,  the  remainder  of  the  level  ground  was  utilized  as  building 
lots  and  was  divided  by  streets.  In  July,  184G,  when  the  American  flag 
was  first  given  to  the  breeze  on  the  plaza,  there  were  probably  two  hundred 
inhabitants  in  the  picturesque  little  village;  but  before  the  month  ended 
the  population  was  increased  by  a  colony  of  Mormons  from  New  Yoik. 
who  were  a  most  diligent,  progressive  set  of  men,  and  among  other  l)ene- 
fits  bestowed  upon  the  little  town  its  first  newspaper.  In  January.  1S47. 
Yerba  Buena  was  transformed  into  San  Francisco  by  order  of  the  Ameri- 
can alcalde,  and  the  discovery  of  gold  the  next  year  wrought  a  comiilete 
transformation  in  San  Francisco  as  well  as  in  almost  every  other  part  of  Cali- 
fornia. Thither  flocked  men  of  every  race  and  clime  on  their  way  to  the 
gold  fields,  and  thither  they  returned  on  their  way  to  their  homes,  some 
jubilant  with  their  quota  of  the  precious  golden  ore.  and  others  beaiing 
only  disappointed  hopes.  But  enough  remained  in  the  city  to  give  it  a 
population  of  twenty-five  thousand  by  the  end  of  1849.  Prices  in  the  little 
town  went  up  with  a  bound;  one  two-story  house  fronting  on  the  plaza 
rented  for  $120,000  a  year,  while  another  of  extremely  small  dimensions 
was  hired  for  the  exorbitant  sum  of  $3000  a  month.  Carpenters  who  were 
getting  twelve  dollars  a  day  struck  for  sixteen;  forty  dollars  was  the  price 
of  either  a  barrel  of  flour  or  a  pair  of  boots;  a  small  loaf  of  bread  cost  fifty 
cents  and  a  hard  boiled  egg  a  dollar.  The  only  currency  was  gold  dust. 
W'hich  w^as  rated  at  $16  per  ounce,  and  was  weighed  out  in  scales  which 
were  to  be  found  at  every  place  of  business. 

At  this  period  in  San  Francisco  the  arrival  of  the  mail  steamer,  which 
occurred  two  or  three  times  a  month,  was  among  the  most  important  and 
exciting  of  events.     The  voluntary  exiles  who  made  up  the  principal  part 


(JENKItAL  NKLSON   A.  MILKS. 


585 


of  tlie  population  could  only  hoar  from  homo  and  frionds  and  all  they  held 
most  dear  through  the  medium  of  the  nuiil.  Thus  the  eoming  of  each 
steamer  was  eagerly  looked  for.  and  became  an  important  event  in  their 
toilsome,  turbulent  lives.  The  line  before  the  postottice  window  would 
begin  to  form  from  twelve  to  twenty  hours  before  the  nuiil  was  ready  for 
delivery,  and  gradually  lengthen  until  it  numbered  live  hundred  men  with 
anxious  hearts  waiting  for  the  letter,  which,  if  it  came,  might  either  till 
their  hearts  with  joy  or  burden  them  with  an  additional  load  of  sorrow. 
Sometimes  a  ragamutlin,  who  had  early  secured  a  ])lace  in  the  line,  as  he 
neared  the  window  would  be  able  to  sell  it  for  five,  ten.  oi*  even  twenty 
dollars.  It  is  said  that  one  young  num  whose  friends  proved  neglectful 
correspondents,  hit  upon  a  plan  of  writing  to  three  or  four  of  the  gossips 
of  his  town,  asking  the  ja-ice  of  land  and  stock  and  what  advantageous 
investments  could  be  secured.  This  exjtedient  was  so  su(rcessful  that  there- 
after never  a  mail  arrived  without  an  epistle  for  him. 

The  streets  of  San  Francisco,  ungraded,  unpaved,  cut  up  by  heavy 
teams,  and  used  as  a  dumping  ground  for  all  the  filth  and  rubbish  of  the 
town,  made  transit  at  all  times  difficult  and  disagreeable;  but  when  they 
were  transformed  by  the  winter  rains  into  a  perfect  swanij).  they  became 
almost  impassable.  Loads  of  brushwood  and  branches  of  trees  were  thrown 
into  these  tjuagmires,  and  l)oards  and  boxes  were  utilized  as  crossings;  but  in 
spite  of  all  precautions,  lives  were  .sometimes  lost  by  suffocation  in  the 
mud.  Saloons  were  plentiful,  and  gambling  was  the  occupation  of  many 
and  the  recreation  of  all.  with  almost  no  excei)tions.  Those  were  the  days 
when  "might  made  right,"  depredations  and  assaults  were  common  offenses, 
and  there  was  absolutely  no  one  to  enforce  law  and  order.  Murders  were 
committed  by  the  hundred,  but  never  a  murderer  was  hanged.  A  gang  of 
young  men  calling  themselves  "regulators,"  but  more  commonly  known 
as  "hounds,"  paraded  the  town  by  day,  and  l)y  night  raided  the  stores  and 
saloons  and  taverns.  At  last  patience  was  exhausted  and  in  July,  lS4t),  a 
meeting  of  "all  good  citizens"  was  called  to  devise  some  means  to  put  a 
stop  to  this  state  of  affairs,  and  this  was  the  forerunner  of  the  celebrated 
Vigilance  Committee  of  LS51. 

Still  affairs  did  not  improve.  Fire  after  fire  desolated  the  unfortunate 
city,  the  last  one,  which  occurred  in  May,  1851,  so  far  exceeding  the  rest 
that  it  was  known  as  the  "great  fire."  The  whole  business  portion  of  the 
town  was  a  mass  of  flames,  the  reflection  of  which  is  said  to  have  been 
visible  a  hundred  miles  away,  and  nearly  everything  was  destroyed.  It 
was  the  firm  belief  of  many  that  the  fire  was  due  to  incendiarism.    Another 


m\ 


VKliSOSM.  I{KC()I,F,K(TI()NS  OK 


('<)nfla<;mtion  orcnrrod  in  June,  and  tlioso  vvlio  wore  suspected  of  hein^'  tlie 
cause  of  it  were  arrested,  but  it  was  impossible  to  secure  tiieir  conviction, 
and  robberies  and  murders  became  more  and  more  <'ommon,  until  at  last 
it  was  the  general  feeling  that  forbearanci*  had  ceased  to  be  a  virtue. 
Tiien  the  famous  Vigilance  Committee  was  formally  organized  "to  watch, 
pursue  and  bring  to  justice  the  outlaws  infesting  the  city,  through  the  sys- 
tem of  the  courts  if  possible,  througii  more  summary  processes  if  neces- 
sary." The  committee  did  such  extremely  effective  work  that  at  the  end 
of  thirty  days  it  was  able  to  cpnetly  disl)and.  it  was  aftei-ward  reorgan- 
ized, and  was  eipially  ethcacious  in  1S5(),  when  the  city  was  threatened 
with  similar  dangers.  And  once  more  in  1877  this  uni(|ue  tone  came  to 
the  front  in  the  interests  of  order  and  justice,  but  this  time  under  very 
dilYerent  auspices. 

Although  San  Francisco  was  almost  entirely  destroyed  by  the  terrible 

tire  of  1851,  the  enter- 
l)rising  citizens  were  by 
no  means  discouraged, 
but  straightway  went  to 
work  to  rebuild  their 
city,  and  by  1852  there 
were  few  characteristics 
of  a  Spanish  town  re- 
maining in  San  Fran- 
cisco. It  had  now  as- 
sumed a  more  regular 
aspect,  and  substantial 
houses  took  the  place  of 
the  huts  of  former  years, 
though  most  of  the 
structures  were  of  wood, 
as  brick  and  stone  were  so  hard  to  obtain,  and  there  was  a  general  dread 
of  earthquakes. 

The  modern  city  is  a  strangely  foreign-looking  place,  especially  when 
viewed  from  the  harbor.  The  business  portion  of  the  town  lies  at  the  foot 
of  several  hills  on  which  most  of  the  residences  are  built.  These  dwellings 
are  even  now  more  commonly  built  of  wood,  but,  fear  of  earthquakes  hav- 
ing somewhat  abated,  brick  and  stone  structures  have  commenced  to  go 
up.  The  cable  cars  were  first  invented  and  used  at  San  Francisco,  and 
when  the  hills  on  which  the  city  is  built  are  considered,  a  better  mode  of 


Makkict  Strickt,  San  FKAXcisfo 


(iKNKUAL  NKI,S(»N   A.   MILKS. 


r).s7 


transportation  could  not  be  devised.  Market  Street,  a  stately  tiioroii^h- 
fare  of  which  tlie  residents  are  very  proud,  runs  southwest  from  the  hay 
and  divi<h>s  the  oUler  from  the  lunver  portion  of  tiu«  city.  It  Mnd-'  an 
almost  level  way  through  the  <Mty.  despite  the  hills,  and  on  either  side  rise 
j^reat  buildings  like  the  I'alace  Hotel,  on«'  of  the  most  perfect  buildings  of 
its  kind  in  the  world,  the  Chronicle  Huilding  and  many  others.  IIsmt  the 
crowds  gather  in  the  greatest  numbers,  and  remind  one  somewhat  of  hroad- 
way,  New  York.  Among  the  new  publij-  buildings  nuiy  be  mentioned  the 
City  Hall,  a  tine  structure  that  cost  !ii>4.(KKMK)().  There  is  also  a  branch  of 
the  United  States  Mint  here.  As  natural  in  so  progressive  a  city.  San  Fran- 
cisco has  uumy  tine  edncati«>nal  institutions,  as  well  as  numerous  <'hurcbes; 
the  church  buildings  recently  erected  have  shown  a  nuirked  imi)rov(Mnent 
in  architectural  design,  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  uumy  of  the  new  resi- 
dences. Few  cities  are  more  delightfidly  or  more  healthfully  located  than 
San  Francisco,  facing  as  it  does  the  beautiful  harbor  and  the  (Jolden  tiate. 
and  being  built  \\]nm  high  dry  ground.  The  sc(Mury  around  it  is  most 
pictures(pie  and  inspiring.  From  homes  overlooking  the  harbor,  you  can 
drive  out  through  theClolden  Cate  Park,  which  is  one  of  th(>  most  beauti- 
ful parks  in  the  I'nited  States,  and  combines  the  picturescpie  s[>leudors  of 
tropical  climes  with  the  fragrance  of  the  live-oak.  fern,  piu(>  and  cedar  of 
the  temperate  zone;  and  thence  through  fields  adorned  with  trees  and 
flowers,  shaded  avenues  and  glens,  lakes  and  fountains,  you  come  directly 
to  the  bold  surf  where  the  waters  of  the  Pacific  are  dashed  against  the 
ro<'ks  of  the  great  clifJs,  and  wnere  the  seals  are  seen  sp(u-ting  in  the  foam- 
ing billows  or  basking  in  the  sun  npon  the  rocks,  the  whole  giving  one  a 
picture  vividly  contrasting  the  wildness  and  grandeur  of  natural  scenery 
with  the  art  and  culture  of  an  enlightened  commnnity. 

It  was  Andrew  Jackson  who  said,  "upon  the  success  of  our  manufac- 
tures as  a  hand-maid  of  agriculture  and  comnuM'ce  depends  in  great  meas- 
ure the  prosperity  of  our  country."  and  San  Francisco  has  not  been 
unmindful  of  this  wise  axiom,  for  its  manufactures  are  yearly  increasing  in 
importance  and  variety.  It  hfis  great  foundries  and  immense  flouring 
mills,  and  boasts  the  oldest  cordage  factory  on  the  Pacific  Cojist.  This 
factory  was  established  in  1S51),  and  now  covers  sixteen  acres.  The  Union 
Iron  Works  have  built  several  ships  of  war,  including  the  "Charleston." 
"San  Francisco"  and  "Monterey." 

The  great  Midwinter  Fair,  opened  on  the  first  of  January,  18*,)4,  was 
held  in  the  Golden  Gate  Park  —  a  most  beautiful  si)ot.  There  were 
three  hundred    buildings,  said   to  have  cost  $1,500,000,  in  the  grounds. 


r)Hs 


I'KWSONAI-   l{K('()I,l,K("n(»NS  OF 


'l\\v  fair  was  a  docidod  success  financially,  and  was  of  ^n'at  luMiotit 
to  tlie  city  in  tiding'  it  ov«»r  the  period  of  exU-enie  dnllness  in  trade 
and  stinin latin},'  many  hranclies  of  trade.  Its  henetits  w<'re  not 
merely  local,  for  it  had  a  p)od  intlnenc(«  that  was  felt  aion^' the  entire 
coast. 

It  is  as  a  commercial  center  that  San  Francisco  ishest  known.  Thron^'h 
the  (Jolden  date,  or  Chrysopyhe.  come  vessels  fi'om  all  parts  of  the  world 
to  anchor  on  the  hroa,d  Itosoni  of  the  harhor  of  San  Francisco.  This  heau- 
tifnl  bay  is  seventy  miles  lon^,  from  ten  to  fifteen  in  width,  and  narrows 
to  a  channel  only  one  mile  wide  at  the  entrance^.  In  this  harhor  nuiy  l)e 
seen  ve.ssels  fnnn  Chiiui,  Hawaii,  .Iai)an.  Anstralia  and  I'anama,  lln^e 
Chinese  jnnks.  the  cpieer  felnccas  of  the  Maltes(>  and  (Ireeks,  and  the  great 
warships  of  the  I'nited  States,  ({reat  Mritain.  France.  Hussia  and  other 
powers,  all  help  to  lend  variety  to  the  heantifnl  scene. 

At  the  npper  end  of  the  hay  is  located,  on  Mare  Island,  the  Fnited  States 
Navy  Yard,  a  most  important  and  vahiahle  national  establishment,  land- 
locked and  well  protected.  Here  we  see  ttoatinjjj  on  its  waters  the  "Co- 
manche," the  "  Swatara,"  the  "Onuiha  "  and  the  "Pensacola:  also  the 
wooden  battle  ship  '*  Hartford,"  once  the  tiaji;  ship  of  the  greatest  Admiral 
of  his  time,  Farragut,  the  sight  of  which  ahnost  jirompts  one  to  raise  his 
hat  in  reverence  for  the  heroic  deeds  of  this  shii)  of  war  and  the  skill  of  its 
indomitable  commander  who  defied  not  only  the  destructive  engines 
beneath  the  surface,  but  also  the  batteries  on  land  and  sea  which  sank 
part  of  his  fleet  and  crashed  through  the  rigging  where  he  was  lashed. 
There  also  is  the  "Miantonomah,"  one  of  the  famous  ships  of  the  Monitor 
class. 

At  Hunter's  Point  is  a  great  dry  dock  four  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in 
length  hewn  out  of  the  solid  rock.  San  Francisco  will  naturally  become 
the  center  of  a  great  ship-building  industry,  not  only  because  of  its  posi- 
tion, but  because  there  is  scarcely  another  place  on  the  continent  whose 
climate  is  so  suitable  for  the  purpose  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  be- 
cause in  some  respects  the  ship  timber  of  that  region  is  the  finest  in  the 
world. 

San  Francisco  is  still  ahead  of  any  competitors  on  the  Pacific  Coast, 
though  there  are  large  towns  of  importance  fast  growing  up  which  force 
her  to  look  well  to  her  laurels.  It  was  the  opinion  of  William  H.  Seward, 
that  in  the  future  the  Pacific  Ocean  with  its  eighty  millions  of  square 
miles,  "will  be  the  scene  of  man's  greatest  achievements."  And  if  that  be 
so,  there  are  scarcely  any  limits  to  the  great  possibilities  of  San  Francisco's 


GKNKUAI.  Nh'SON  A.  MILES, 


fiSU 


fntnro,  situated  as    it  is   on    ti    liarlxtr   imoqiiahMl    in    that   (iiiarter   of 


the  woritl. 


SiTt'tu'.  iiiilitTiTt'tM  of  Kate 
Tlion  xitti'st  at  tlu'  \Vfst»'rn  tinW, 
U|Miii  tliy  lit'iiflitH  so  lately  won 
Still  slant  tilt'  ImtiiiiTs  of  tlit>  siiti; 


TI 


lOII    SCt'St    tilt* 


wilit 


t'  seas  striUf  tiieir  teiitH 


O,  WunltM*  of  two  coiitiiu'iits  !' 


The  |K(»i)li' of  the  Pacific  Coa.st.  are  as  a  rule  most  enterprising',  intelligent 
and  amititioiis,  and  they  areexceetlin^'iy  ^'enerous  and  hospitsihie.  It  is  a 
mistake  to  sui)pose  that  tlie  West  is  crude  or  uncultivatrd.  Thestron^'est, 
most    resolute,  enterprising;  and  amhitious  of  our  men  ii.ive  L'one  West. 


Tiiey  have  either  car- 
ried with  tliem  or  have 
returned  for  those 
ciieerful  companions 
who  aro  promj»ted  by 
love  and  devotion  to 
accompany  the  pioneers 
totheir  Western  homes. 
While  their  nuiterial  in- 
terests have  been  in  the 
Western  country,  their 
fond  memories  and  at- 
tachments have  re- 
mained in  the  Kast,  and 
in  the  fre(|uent  journeys 
thev  have  nnide  back  to 


A    SciONI'    IN    SnlTIIKliN    { '  M.IKOUNIA. 


the  old  homesteads  and  the  Eastern  centers  of  business  smd  civilization, 
they  have  brouj^ht  their  children  with  them.  In  this  way  the  youth  have 
become  familiar  with  our  entire  country,  as  well  as  with  the  section  to 
which  all  are  naturally  most  attached  as  bein<;  the  place  of  their  birth. 
As  these  children  have  ^rown  up,  and  after  jjassinji;  thnmj;!!  the  primary 
and  high  schools,  they  have  been  sent  Kast  ^^o  complete  their  education 
at  the  great  colleges  of  Harvard.  Yale,  i'rinceton.  IJowdoin.  Wellesley, 
Smith,  Vassar,  and  many  other  important  educational  institutions.  Then, 
returning  to  their  Western  homes,  they  have  in  nuiuy  cases  made  a  tour  of 
travel  and  observation,  often  passing  out  at  the  (iolden  (iate,  orthe  Straits 
of  Juan  de  Fuca,  and  making  the  round  of  the  world.  So  we  find  the 
native  population  that  has  grown   up  on  the  Pacitic  slope  as  rehned, 


m) 


PEH80NAI,  IJEC'OLLPXTIDNS  OF 


i 


intollij^eut.  aiul  (juite  as  well  inforined.  ospocially  ronoorninj?  tlioir  own 
country,  as  those  of  the  Kastern  States. 

The  h)ii<jj  and  interestin*;  journey  aeross  tlie  continent  has  been  coni- 
pleted;  a  journey  fraujjjht  with  many  vicissitudes  and  many  interesting'  in- 
cidents. It  has  witnessed  many  liistoric  scenes,  it  lias  had  many  dariv 
hours  of  ^n-eat  anxiety  and  uncertainty.  miuLrled  with  forebodings  of  evil 
for  the  future  condition  of  our  country.  It  has  witnessed  the  terrible 
ordeals  and  sacrifices  of  war,  as  well  as  the  fascination  and  exhilaration  of 
victory  and  the  restoration  of  i)erpetual  peace,  it  has  known  the  disap- 
pearance of  the  cause  of  dis.itt'ection  and  hostility,  and  the  reunion  of  the 
elements  in  a  stron«;er,  more  perfect.  i)urer.  }j:rander.  nobler  bond  of  union. 
It  has  seen  iiie  buildinjjf  up  of  waste  places,  and  the  restoration  of  frater- 
nal feeling;  the  return  of  the  most  generous  nnignanimity  and  the  most 
bountiful  charity.  It  has  beheld  the  transfornnition  of  the  wild  wastes 
and  the  desolate.  uni)roductive  regions  of  our  country  to  the  scenes  of 
vast  industries,  progressive  civilization  and  universal  prosperity.  It  has 
followed  the  gradual  march  of  civilization  toward  the  western  horizon. 
Westward  the  course  of  empii-e  has  taken  its  way,  and  the  center  of 
population  now  creeps  Westward  to  the  regi«>n  beyondthe  Mississippi.  What 
the  future  destiny  of  that  great  Western  portion  of  our  continent  shall  be. 
no  one  can  foretell  or  i)rophesy.  No  one  can  forecast  what  great  interests, 
local  and  national,  will  center  around  the  Mediterranean  of  the  Pacific  slope, 
t  he  Hudson  of  the  West,  and  the  (i  olden  (late  of  California;  or  what  ]>r(>])ort  ions 
the  commerce  of  these  great  Pacific  States  may  assume;  or  what  naval  bat- 
tles shall  yet  be  fought  for  the  defense  or  possession  of  that  great  coast. 

With  much  reluctance  I  bid  my  Western  friends  and  their  most  intei- 
esting  country  adieu.  I  hope  that  I  may  again  visit  that  coast,  going  by 
quite  a  different  route  than  by  thos(^  sev(Mi  railway  lines  l)y  which  1  have 
been  accustomed  to  cross  and  recross  the  continent.  I  trust  that  great 
enterprise  will  be  soon  undertaken  and  spcvdily  completed  that  shall 
divide  the  great  isthmus,  yet  unite  in  still  stronger  bonds  of  interest  and 
friendship  the  two  great  geographic  divisions  of  our  country. 

Should  the  readers  of  these  pages  find  themselves  any  better  infornuMl 
concerning  our  Western  country  and  people  than  before  reading  them,  and 
should  they  find  enough  in  them  to  kindle  a  i)atriotic  emotion  or  awaken 
a  becoming  i)ride  concerning  their  own  great  country,  my  elTorts  aiul  am- 
bition will  have  been  amply  rewarded;  and  I  wish  eveiy  happiness  and 
prosperity  to  attend  my  coni/xii/iions  <lc  roi/at/c  from  New  Kngland  to 
the  (j! olden  fiate. 


ii 


r*' 


\<ri 


^\ 


'^1 


/X 


GENKKAL    NKLSON   A.   MILKS. 


591 


